Appearance
Orthopristis chrysoptera attains a maximum total length of 46 cm (18 in), although 30 cm (12 in) is more typical, and the maximum recorded weight is 900 g (32 oz).
This species has an elliptical, oval shaped, compressed body with a thin-lipped small mouth which does not extend to the eye and is not coloured red inside. The jaws have a narrow band of thin teeth. The dorsal fin contains 12–13 spines and a similar number of soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 12–13 soft rays, the second spine is slightly thicker and longer than the third. The entire body is covered in scales apart from the tip of the snout, lips and chin.

