This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XIII,10, the last ray divided; A II,7: pectoral fin rays 13; gill rakers 2 + 5 = 7 (some rudimentary); preopercular spines 5; upper jaw longer than the lachrymal length; no papillae on both posterior portion of upper jaw and outer edge of lower jaw; first sensory pores of lower jaw separate; anterior tip of isthmus not reaching forward to level of 5th sensory pore on lower jaw; spiny portion of dorsal fin with a large black blotch which extends onto the back (Ref. 75988).