Diagnosis: mouth subterminal and slightly oblique, angle of mouth reaching to below mideye; operculum and predorsal region of head without scales; 29-35 scales in longitudinal series on flanks (plus perhaps 1-2 scales on caudal fin base); 10-14 (mode 11) scales in rearward transverse series; 1st dorsal fin: VI; 2nd dorsal fin: I,10-11 (mode 11): anal fin: I,11-13 (mode 12); pectoral fins: 16-18 (mode 17); caudal fin lanceolate, with 16-17 segmented rays (13-14 of them branched) (Ref. 57403, 79590).

Coloration: Preserved specimens: marbled with brown on back and irregular cross bars on nape; thin dark suborbital bar extending anteroventrally from eye to angle of mouth; several vertical dark lines on cheeks; 5 distinct spots along midlateral line of body, last one located at base of caudal fin; irregular row of tiny spots above midline, scale pockets with dark margins forming reticulate pattern laterally; 1st dorsal fin with 4-5 black longitudinal bands consisting of fine spots; 2nd dorsal fin with approximately 2 bands of fine spots; pectoral and caudal fins with spots forming vertical bands; anal and pelvic fins dusky (Ref. 57403, 79590).