Pinkish to violet above, silvery below; oblique dark band (when present) from eye to nape (not to dorsal fin base); often a yellow stripe from eye along flank to end of tail base; anal fin dark, lobe white; pelvics white, with dark inner part; tail fin dark, narrow lighter rear border. Juveniles (up to 20cm) with oblique head band and 7 irregular, broken dark bars on side, 3rd-7th extend onto dorsal and anal fins.