Lower sides and belly silvery-grey, often with chains of white vertical lines and spots. 2 nd dorsal and anal fins yellow. Finlets yellow with a narrow black margin. Abundant in tropical waters throughout Atlantic. Young are known to form large schools near surface.
Adults inhabit fairly deep water but also live near the surface.
Pectoral fin reaches 2 nd dorsal fin. 1 st dorsal fin is deep yellow. 2 nd dorsal and anal fins are brownish or yellowish with narrow black edges. Finlets are yellow with dark edges. Generally no markings on body, but in live specimens a lateral iridescent blue band runs along sides.