This species is distinguished by the following characters: with a rigid upper jaw lacking flexible lamina posteriorly, extending about 0.7-1.1 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; infraorbitals are moderately slender and tubular third infraorbital with short posterolateral projecting arm ending in sensory canal opening, no suborbital shelf; D XI,11; A II,10–11; vertebrae 10+16; scale rows in horizontal series about 37-40; no supraneurals. Colouration: the scale rows on body appearing to form a series of narrow stripes; dorsum with 5 dark blotches, with those below spinous dorsal fin extending only slightly on to fin (Ref. 128653).