This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: pectoral-fin rays 14-16 (modally 15); scale rows in longitudinal series 41-45 (44); scales above lateral line 4-5 (4); scale rows between last dorsal spine base and lateral line 4-5 (4); pre-dorsal scale rows 3-5 (4); suborbital scale rows 0-2 (1); total gill rakers 16-18 (16); head length 41.5-44.5 (mean 43.1) %SL; orbit diameter 13.0-15.4 (14.3) %SL; upper-jaw length 20.2-23.0 (21.6) %SL; longest dorsal-fin soft ray length 19.5-24.5 (22.5) %SL; longest anal-fin soft ray length 23.6-28.4 (25.3) %SL; caudal-fin length 37.8-46.4 (42.3) %SL; posterior lacrimal spine usually directed posteriorly, the tip strongly curved upward in large adults; spine(s) on corner of outer angular ridge longer and stouter than others on ridge, directed posteriorly; number and size of caudal fin spots moderate, 5-13 (mean 9.3) spots on longest caudal-fin ray (Ref. 93969).