This species is distinguished from its congeners by having predorsal scales and by the following set of characters: pair of frontal spines above and behind eyes is more or less distinct and a median, sub-dermal, cartilaginous, ethmoidal spine in front of eyes; numerous neuromasts found below translucent head-skin arranged in four distinct clusters; with scales on body; anterior arch with 3 long gill rakers, 3-5 times length of filaments; prolonged pectoral peduncle; palatines with 2- tooth rows; lower angle of preoperculum with an antero-ventrally directed spine; vertebrae, precaudal 12-13, total 52-53; fin rays, D 80-84, A 48-52, pectoral 17-18; otolith length to height, 1.9, otolith length to colliculum length, 2.8-3.1 (Ref. 93007).