Body is dark olive or blue-green above, and silvery below. The back has small spots forming undulating dotted lines. Pelvic and anal fins are yellowish in color, while other fins are more pale. The mouth is large with the lower jaw projecting out. There are 1 to 2 prominent canine teeth present at the tip of the upper jaw. The sides are covered in tones of blue, purple, lavender, gold and copper and irregular, diagonal rows of vaguely-defined dark spots appear above the lateral line. Black margin on tip of the tongue. Pectoral fins are olive on the outside. Mouth is yellow inside.