This species differs from its congeners by the following characters: blunt, rounded snout and horizontal, subterminal mouth; a large distinct blotch on the upper pectoral-fin base; 13 elements found in both the second dorsal fin and anal fin; first and second dorsal fins not broadly joined; scales large, 28-35 in lateral series; nape naked or with a few rows of scales before the first dorsal fin; most specimens with upper jaw having a single complete row of teeth; first gill arch with 3 triangular gill rakers on the ceratobranchial, 1 at angle and 2 lobular rakers on the epibranchial (Ref. 55435).