Suborbital spine absent. Preopercle with 3 transverse scale rows. Pectoral fins long, reaching to or almost to level of origin of anal fin. Pelvic fins moderately long, reaching to or just beyond anus. Upper lobe of caudal fin produced into a short trailing filament. A line drawn upwards from the posterior edge of suborbital reaching the dorsal profile 2 to 5 scale rows before origin of dorsal fin. Axillary scale present. Color: Upper body pinkish, pearly white below. Compared to N. bathybius, this has a more or less straight caudal filament; is more slender and differs in color pattern: lower lateral stripe originates from above the pectoral-fin base; dorsal fin lacks undulating yellow lines; and upper caudal fin and filament red-edged.