This species is distinguished by the following characters: D IV + XIV-XV + 10-11 (IV+XV+11); A II, 20-21 (21), spine length half of the rays; pectoral rays 16, dorsalmost 2-3 and ventral most 7 simple, remainder branched once; pelvic rays bound together by membrane for less than one-fourth of length of shorter ray; lateral line pored scales 21-24 (22), terminates between 2nd and 3rd dorsal fins; notched scales and 14-19 (16); total lateral scales 32-35 (34); dentary pores 5-6 + 1 + 5-6; orbital and nasal cirri palmate and about as large as pupil diameter; dorsal fin also with cirri at tips of spines; head 2.9-3.6 (3.3) in SL, eye 3.0-3.9 (3.3), maxilla 2.3-3.0 (2.6) and snout 3.3-4.9 (3.8) in head length (Ref. 88983).

Description: Heavily pigmented (Ref. 1602). Overall greyish or brownish with 5 white saddles on dorsal side extending to fins, eye bar black and broad, anal fin vertical bands black, caudal fin bands grey and white (Ref. 90102).