This species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: posterior margin of dorsal fin spine with laminar serrations directed towards the origin of the spine; presence of two longitudinal black stripes on flanks; presence of sparse black chromatophores without any conspicuous pattern on the anterior portion of dorsal fin; absence of a conspicuous black marbled coloration pattern on head. Colouration: black spots on caudal fin, some spots arranged, forming transversal bars; and brownish dorsal-fin spine (Ref. 128862).