Characterized by pale grey body color with narrow brown stripes and longitudinal rows of bluish white dots on side of body; lower side of body with row of five rectangular brown blotches; irregular brown markings on back; head with dark oblique lines; presence of large brown spot above pectoral fin base; dorsal spines sometimes with filamentous tips; rounded caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 23-25; head and nape without scales; ctenoid body scales except cycloid on abdomen, pectoral fin base and prepelvic region; median predorsal scales absent; opening of gill not reaching to above edge of preopercle; very long cheek spine, length about twice eye diameter and extending well beyond posterior margin of opercular membrane; depth of body 4.8-6.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).