This moderate-sized species is distinguished by the following characters:D2 I,6-8; A I,6-8; pectoral rays 15-18; segmented caudal rays 16 in 9/7 pattern; lateral scales 24-28; transverse scale count 7-81/2; predorsal scales 7-8; opercle often with three rows of cycloid scales, 1-2 cycloid scales on cheek close behind eye; shoulder girdle has a smooth bony edge; tongue is short, its tip blunt or bluntly rounded; males with upper jaw teeth in outer row long, evenly sized and evenly spaced, fairly straight, slightly flattened with pointed tips; females with upper jaw teeth of small to medium-length (not as long as in males), compressed, slender, the teeth often close-set but may be slightly apart, its tips blunt or sharp. Colouration: scale margins on the upper three-quarters of body edged with brown; with 3-6 small brown blotches along mid-side of body with posteriormost blotch at hypural crease; the caudal fin with two distinct round or almost square dark brown spots, just above and below mid-lateral line (upper spot may coalesce with spot on hypural crease) (Ref. 126575).