This moderate-sized species is distinguished by the following characters: D2 I,7; A I,7; pectoral rays 14-17; segmented caudal rays 6 in 9/7 pattern; lateral scales 25-28; transverse scale count 6-8½; predorsal scales 8-10; opercle has 2-4 rows of cycloid scales, no scales on cheek; shoulder girdle is smooth; tongue is short and mostly fused to floor of mouth; in both sexes teeth are similar although males have 2-3 curved symphyseal canines behind anterior tooth rows, the upper jaw teeth in two rows, teeth in outer row pointed, bluntly rounded to flattened, small, closely spaced, evenly sized, ofthe no teeth from side of jaw; a sexually dimorphic species, with adult males possessing inflated cheeks and nape, have more prominent eyes, a strongly curved suborbital, larger jaws and relatively plain dark body colour. Colouration: body yellowish brown with five dark brown blotches along side and distinctive yellow-edged black spot on upper part of the caudal fin in both sexes (Ref. 126575).