Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nationsfor a
world without hunger Fisheries and Aquaculture Department Body
fusiform, elongated, moderately compressed, smooth and
streamlined. Body colour silvery on belly and sides grading to
olive-green or blue on back. Dorsal, anal and caudal fins pale
or yellowish with dark margins. Single dorsal fin with 2 spines
and 13-17 soft rays. Short anal fin with 2 spines and 8-10 soft
rays, close to caudal fin. Caudal fin large and deeply forked
with large scale flaps at base in adults. Pectoral fins low on
body with axillary (inner basal) scales. Pelvic fins abdominal
with axillary scales and 11 or 12 rays. Scales cycloid, small
and smooth, 75-91 on lateral line. No scutes (modified pointed
scales) along belly. Transparent 'adipose' tissue covers eye.
Mouth small and terminal without teeth. Lower jaw with small
tubercle at tip, fitting into notch in upper jaw. No bony gular
plate between arms of lower jaw. Four branchiostegal rays
supporting underside of gill cove