A thin band of dark pigmentation present from dorsal to the anal fin base (lacking in H. macrolepis). Differs from H. virgulatus where this band and the longitudinal band extending from the posterior portion of the head to the caudal fin base is thicker and more heavily pigmented. Further, this species differs from H. virgulatus with its relatively smaller orbital diameter; more pointed posteroventral corner of preopercle; relatively elongate gill rakers along the epibranchial and hypobranchial portion of the first branchial arch; single ossification in the position primitively occupied by infraorbitals 4 and 5; small posterior dentary teeth beginning behind lateralmost tooth of the anterior row thus not forming a second internal teeth series (Ref. 38319).