This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D 9; pectoral-fin rays 19-21 (usually 20); scale rows in longitudinal series 40-45 (43); pored lateral-line scales 23-25 (24); scale rows above lateral line 4-6 (5), below lateral line 9-11 (10), between 6th dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5 or 6 (5), and between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 4-6 (5); upper gill rakers 4-6 (5), lower gill rakers 10-15 (12) [7-10 (9) and 2-6 (3) on ceratohyal and hypobranchial, respectively], total gill rakers 15-20 (18); absence of longitudinal ridge on lateral surface of maxilla; presence of lateral lacrimal spine; 3 suborbital spines; presence of 2nd preopercular spine; 4th preopercular spine large, directed parallel to 3rd preopercular spine; absence of upper posttemporal spine; minute slit behind last gill arch; many small cycloid scales on base of pectoral fin and ventral surface of body from isthmus to beyond pelvic fin; posterior margin of soft-rayed portion of dorsal-fin rounded; fin membrane between last dorsal-fin soft ray and caudal peduncle absent; body depth 29.5-36.4 (32.9) % SL; 2nd dorsal-fin ray length 18.0-21.3 (19.8) % SL; 3rd dorsal-fin ray length 17.7-22.4 (20.1) % SL; 4th dorsal-fin ray length 18.3-22.6 (20.0) % SL; 5th dorsal-fin ray length 16.8-21.7 (19.6) % SL; 3rd preopercular spine length 2.3-6.1 (4.2) % HL; 4th preopercular spine length 1.4-4.7 (2.8) % HL; pale yellowish body and pectoral fins, with indistinct blotches above lateral line when preserved (Ref. 133153).