This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: scale rows between 6th dorsal-fin spine and lateral line 6-7 (usually 7); scale rows between last dorsal-fin spine and lateral line 6-7 (7); middle postorbital scale rows 2-3 (3); caudal-peduncle depth 7.4-9.4% (mean 8.7%) of SL; interorbital width at vertical midline of eye 16.3-25.9% (21.5%) of HL; maxillary depth 12.0-18.9% (14.0%) of HL; lower opercular spine length 25.7-28.5% (27.3%) of HL; dorsal margin of interorbital space flat; presence of nasal and parietal spines; supraocular spine present in juveniles (up to ca. 2.0 cm SL, size reducing with growth); second lacrimal spine directed anteroventrally or ventrally; tip of lower opercular spine below posterior margin of opercle (sometimes reaching to just behind posterior margin in specimens of ca. 4.0 cm SL or greater); jaws with short dense conical teeth; premaxillary teeth in 3-5 irregular rows, totaling ca. 150 teeth. Colouration: head and body base color blackish-red (dull red at ca. 4.0 cm SL or greater), with uniformly scattered black pigment spots in fresh specimens and blackish coloration becoming more distinct in preserved specimens; caudal fin and oral surface uniformly pale in preserved specimens and sometimes a few dark smudges posteriorly on palate (Ref. 123746).