The body is elongated, spindle-shaped, somewhat compressed laterally; covered with fine scales . In the lateral line 71–74 scales. The upper jaw is without scales, the lateral surface is smooth; its posterior margin reaches the vertical passing through the middle of the eye. The maxillary bone is not extendable. The lower jaw extends slightly forward. The teeth on the jaws are very small; there are no fang-shaped teeth; adults have no teeth on the opener . The interorbital space is flat. The nostrils on each side of the head are located close to each other. On the first branchial arch, 22–28 branchial stamens , of which 6–12 on the upper half, and 15–18 on the lower half. The dorsal fin is continuous; there is no indentation between the spiny and soft parts. There are 10 hard rays in the spiny part, and 10-11 soft rays in the soft part. Scales on the dorsal and anal fins are absent. In anal fin 3 hard and 8 soft rays. The last soft ray in the dorsal and anal fins is elongated. The pectoral fins are elongated, but slightly shorter than the length of the head, with 15-16 soft rays. The caudal fin is large, sickle-shaped [2] [3] [4] .
Two types of coloration are observed. The head and body are bluish-steel in color, the dorsal and anal fins are yellow, the remaining fins are from whitish yellow to dark gray. Another type of coloring: the back and upper half of the body are purple-brown, the sides are bluish-gray, the head and lower body are silver, the edges of the overlap and covers are black, fins are whitish to yellowish brown. Males sometimes with a brilliant yellow head. In juveniles, the caudal fin is yellow [3] [4] .
The maximum body length is 70 cm, usually up to 25 cm; the maximum officially registered body weight is 906 g [5] .
Marine bentopelagic fish. They live in coastal waters near rocky and coral reefs at a depth of 1 to 120 m. They feed on fish and crustaceans. They lead a solitary lifestyle or form small groups [3] [4] .
Widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific Region from the Hawaiian Islands to East Africa and from southern Japan to Australia . Found on the island of Cocos [5] .
Forked afar is a commercial species in many regions throughout its range . Caught by bottom fishing rods and vertical tiers . It is implemented fresh. A popular sport fishing facility [2] [4] . The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assigned this species the least threatening conservation status [6] .
