Dorsal rays VII+I,9; anal rays II,8 (rarely II,7); pectoral rays usually 13, occasionally 14; tubed lateral-line scales 9-11; median predorsal scales about 4 (missing or incomplete on all specimens); total gill rakers 2+10 (rarely 2+9), all rakers developed. Body ovate, its depth 2.6-3.1 in SL, and body width 2.0–2.7 in the depth; eye diameter 2.6-3.1 in head length; first dorsal spine 2.8-4.2 in second spine; second dorsal spine 3.5-4.0, spine of second dorsal fin 3.4-4.0, and second anal spine 3.4-5.7, all in head length; pectoral-fin length 4.5-5.0 and pelvic-fin length 4.5-4.8 in SL; caudal-peduncle length 1.1-1.7 in distance between pelvic spine insertion and anal-fin origin. Preopercular ridge smooth, the margin with 7-15 fine serrations concentrated around angle. Vomer with narrow band of small teeth forming v-shape; palatines with narrow band of small teeth. Scales large, thin and deciduous, cycloid on anterior half of body and weakly spinoid on posterior half. Tip of light organ on each side of tongue bound by membrane. (Ref. 90035).