Brown with irregular spots; dorsal and caudal fins with bands in females, dusky in males; often with dark brown saddle below each of the dorsal fins (Ref. 2798); characterized further by having upper five pectoral rays with free tips and sixth ray partly free; three branches on upper four pectoral rays; rounded caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 37-38; predorsal scales 18-20, reaching or nearly reaching interorbital space; cheek and opercle without scales; presence of fleshy double flap from edge of cheek into notch at posterior end of upper lip; ctenoid body scales, becoming cycloid on abdomen, breast, base of pectoral fin and nape; depressed head, width greater than depth; depth of body 4.3-5.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).