Diagnosis: 53-60 lateral line scales; 18-20 total dorsal fin rays; dorsal fin not becoming elongate ontogenetically, tip of fin extending at most to vertical between posterior limit of base of dorsal fin and origin of adipose fin; flanks with series of distinct, vertically elongate bars that extend to dorsal mid-line, caudal peduncle without distinct, dark pigmentation or with diffuse, round, dusky spot on posterior portion of caudal peduncle in some specimens; (Ref. 81638).

Description: body elongate; body depth 0.28-0.30x SL, moderately compressed, somewhat more so in smaller specimens; mouth inferior with jaws slightly ventrally protruded in some specimens; 2 rows of bicuspid teeth in each jaw; maxilla edentulous; premaxilla with 10-12, dentary with 10-12 teeth in outer row; caudal fin lobes moderately pointed, small scales overlying rays; scales limited to basal half of each lobe in smaller individuals and extending further distally in larger specimens and reaching close to distal portions of dorsal and ventral most rays in largest individuals; body scales ctenoid and small; lateral line scales followed by smaller, unpored scales on caudal fin base; 6-7 scales between anal fin origin and lateral line; D: III-IV, 15-16; A: III,9-10 (Ref. 81638).

Coloration: tan to grey, darker dorsally in preserved specimens; head with dark pigmentation extending across snout and anteroventral of orbit; opercle with dark, vertically elongate band; body with 13-15 irregular dark bars, some extending from mid-dorsal line to horizontal through base of pectoral fin whereas other bars more limited in extent; adjoining bars sometimes interconnected; smaller individuals with variably distinct, round dark spot on posterior portion of caudal peduncle and rarely on basal mid-portions of caudal fin (Ref. 81638).