This species has the following combination of characters: 16 pectoral-fin rays; 46-48 longitudinal scales series; embedded cycloid scales covering anteroventral surface of body and pectoral-fin base; lateral line sloping steeply downward above anterior 1/2 of pectoral fin; posterior margin of maxilla extending well beyond a vertical through posterior margin of orbit; well developed median interorbital ridge, its highest portion greater in height than interorbital ridges; a single spine on the lateral surface of lacrimal; anterior lacrimal spine with an

additional spine; posterior lacrimal spine simple; suborbital spines 3, posterior end of 1st suborbital spine base below eye between posterior margins of pupil and orbit; space between upper and lower opercular spines not covered with fleshy skin; supraocular tentacle shorter than pupil diameter,1.7-3.9% (mean 3.1%) of SL in length; no tentacles on the underside of lower jaw; no skin flap on pectoral-fin axil; relatively deep body (depth 36.4-42.6% of SL); head and body when fresh yellowish-orange and with numerous small distinct black spots, averaging about 1/10 body scale diameter in size, scattered on entire head and body (except

for ventral surface of head and body), dorsal, anal and caudal fins, and upper 1/2 of pectoral fin; a large black blotch at the margin of membrane between 6th and 10th or 11th dorsal-fin spines in males (Ref. 75791).