This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: three equally-sized suborbital spines without ridge; supraocular tentacle is absent or very short; pectoral-fin rays 15-16 (usually 16); pored lateral-line scales 22-26 (usually 22-23); longitudinal scale rows 43-47; pre-dorsal-fin scale rows 2-3 (usually 3); 10-12 scale rows between 6th dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line; 10-12 scale rows between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line; total gill rakers 15-16, gill rakers on hypobranchial 2-3; ratio of 11th and 12th dorsal-fin spine 60%-81% (mean 73%). Colouration: blackish spots randomly scattered on all fins; spinous dorsal fin without a distinct black blotch in male (Ref. 130213).