This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D VI-I,9-11(modally 9); A I,8-9 ; pectoral-fin rays 19-21; body depth at pelvic-fin origin 32.4-38.3% (mean 36.0%) of SL; distance between first dorsal-fin origin to dorsal-most point of pectoral-fin base 50.4-64.8% (55.2%) of HL; pectoral fin is relatively long, its length 90.6-112.5% (100.8%) of HL; no groove between the isthmus and interoperclet. Colouration: when alive or freshly collected, the body is uniformly reddish-brown; colour of all fins darker than that of body; five vertical narrow bluish stripes on lateral surface of head (Ref. 130805).