Distinguished by the following characteristics: head and body pale greyish brown dorsally, usually golden yellow ventrally; 4 broad dark bars on the dorsal part of the body, one on caudal peduncle and another often visible on nape; numerous small yellow spots on head and body; body and median fins with small greyish white spots; soft dorsal and caudal fins and sometimes the anal fin, with prominent yellow margin; dusky yellow paired fins; yellow mustache in the maxillary groove; body depth 2.7-3.3 times in SL; head length 2.3-2.6 times in SL; convex interorbital area; strongly convex dorsal head profile; subangular preopercle, 2-5 strong spines at the angle; upper edge of operculum straight, uppermost spine rudimentary; maxilla reaches about to vertical at rear edge of eye; 2 rows of small, subequal teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; caudal fin convex; lateral body scales distinctly ctenoid, with auxiliary scales in fish larger than 30 cm SL; pyloric caeca 12, in 3 bundles (Ref. 089707).