Body elliptical and compressed, covered with imbricate plate-like scales. First dorsal fin over gill opening, with trigger-like locking structure. Posterior end of pelvis with movable encasing scales. A groove in front of eye. No enlarged scales behind gill opening. Scales on side of body with tubercles, forming longitudinal rows of ridges. Upper jaw with two rows of teeth, the outer series with 8 teeth, the inner with 6. Lower jaw with 8 teeth arranged in a single row. Caudal peduncle compressed. Caudal fin rounded in young, lower and upper lobes of fin slightly produced in adult. Anterior rays of soft dorsal and anal fins elevated. Body blackish blue, with many small rounded white spots in young; these spots becoming indistinct in adult.
Distribution:
Warm and tropical regions of the world.
Remarks:
This species is separable from the congener, C. sufflamen, by the fewer numbers of rays in the soft dorsal and anal fins and the lower body depth. (Matsuura)