Juveniles sand-colored with numerous thin black pinstripes (Ref. 1602); adult males with an oblique yellow band from the corner of mouth backward and another under the chin (Ref. 4420).

Description: Characterized further by having longitudinal scale rows 43-54; presence of deep groove in front of eye; nearly straight dorsal and ventral head profiles; body with series of longitudinal ridges bearing small spiny tubercles, ridges extending forward to front of second dorsal fin; rounded caudal fin in juvenile, truncate to slightly double emarginate in adult (Ref. 90102).