Description: Adipose eyelids feeble; tongue notched in front; lips thin, lower edentate, upper with 2 rows recurved teeth; teeth on pterygoid and tongue, none on palatines and vomer; preorbital slightly emarginate, denticulate and truncate behind (Ref. 4393). First dorsal fin with 4 spines, second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 8 soft rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 9 soft rays; pectoral fin with 16 rays; second dorsal fin and anal fin falcate; pelvic fin about as long as pectoral fin in adults, shorter in juveniles; pectoral fin folded forward reaches front of eye or beyond (Ref. 4393). Scales on lateral line 29-32; scaly process at first dorsal-fin base 6.0-6.7 times in predorsal distance; no pectoral axillary scale (Ref. 4393).

Colouration: Scale margins dark, especially dorsally, giving the dull grey body the characteristic reticulate appearance; pelvic fins bright yellow or orange (Ref. 4393).