This species is distinguished by the following characters: D2 13 dorsal-fin elements and 14 anal-fin elements; upper jaw with a single row of teeth; fleshy tongue is rounded; upper lip is not constricted at the premaxillary symphysis; presence of a black spot on dorsoposterior surface of eye, without cirrus or cornification; anterior nares possess a dark anteromedial spot; presence of a broad dusky to dark brown area covering gular region beneath preopercle and anterior process of quadrate; dorsum scales without dark spots on posterior margin; mid-side with 4 oval to rounded dusky to brown blotches, interspersed with dusky spots and indistinct oblique bars, the fifth basicaudal blotch rounded to triangular; nape naked, with a low membranous crest; weak ctenoid scales laterally on trunk, reaching anterior to second dorsal-fin origin, scales cycloid anteriorly; naked prepelvic area; lateral scales 60–81 (modally 70); first dorsal-fin spines are elongate with filamentous tips, reaching fourth to eighth second dorsal-fin element when appressed in females, beyond second dorsal-fin, terminus in males; pectoral-fin rays 19-20; pelvic fins are blackish with pale frenum; first dorsal fin is dusky with 3 blackish lines crossing fin, leading edge of first spine black (Ref. 103856).