This species is distinguished by the following characters: body depth 2.7-3.2 in SL; head length 2.3-2.5 in SL; head pointed, flat interorbital area, dorsal head profile slightly convex; preopercle rounded, serrae small and mostly covered by skin; upper edge of operculum strongly convex, the rear edge almost vertical, the upper spine extending posterior to lower spine; rear nostril diameter about twice that of anterior nostril; small, embedded scales on maxilla; 2-4 rows of small teeth at midlateral part of lower jaw; canines at front of jaws small or absent; gill rakers of first gill arch 8-10 + 15-18 (including 6 to 8 rudiments on each limb); caudal fin rounded; pectoral fins large and fleshy, with 15-17 rays, the fin length 1.4-1.7 in HL; short pelvic fins, 1.9-2.4 in HL; lateral-line scales 48-53; lateral scale series 95-110. Colour of body brown, with numerous small white spots (in specimens >10 cm SL), horizontally elongate and tend to form wavy white lines in adults, several round or irregular pale blotches (eye-sized or larger) usually superimposed over small white spots, head brown, with numerous small white spots dorsally behind eyes; black maxillary streak usually hidden by maxilla, median fins with small white spots and streaks, the posterior margin blackish with a white edge, paired fins are greyish brown; juveniles of about 6 cm SL are brown, covered with small, dark-edged white spots which are round, except on front part of dorsal fin where they are elongated; white spots on paired fins become fewer and fainter with growth, and are absent in adults (Ref. 39231, 89707, 90102).