This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D VI + I, 8, the second and third spines elongated, reaching to base of fifth or sixth segmented ray of second dorsal fin when adpressed; A I,8; pectoral rays 16; the fifth pelvic ray branched, 56-64% length of fourth pelvic ray; the bony interorbital about equal to pupil diameter; the predorsal, cheek, and opercle are fully scaled; pattern of cephalic sensory papillae includes 5 transverse rows below eye; colour in life brownish with pink zone along upper side and 7 darker brown saddles on back interspersed with smaller golden saddles, a narrow white bar behind eye, and a yellowish bar at the base of pectoral fin (Ref. 100512).