Greatest body depth 4.6–5.9 in SL; head length 3.5– 3.9 in SL; orbit diameter 3.0–3.9 in head length; fifth dorsal spine longest, 3.0–3.8 in head length; posterior margin of causal fin rounded; pectoral fins 4.2–5.2 in SL; pelvic fins just reaching anus, 4.2–5.6 in SL. Lower jaw project-ing; palatine teeth present; vomerine teeth stout; scales on body, abdomen and cheek ctenoid; margin of opercle with a distinct sharp spine mostly single pore on lower margin of anterior preopercle. With four to five large V-shaped dark-brown transverse bands over the upper side of the body; numerous black dots scattered on and between the V-shaped transverse bands, around pectoral fin, and at pectoral fin base; dorsal fin between the spinous and soft-rayed portion without a prominent notch, membrane between 1–4 spines with prominent black blotch; a dark vertical band below eye; a large deep-brown or black blotch on the pectoral fin base, and a large black spot over the caudal fin base; one irregular diffused longitudinal yellow stripe along the middle body when fresh (Ref. 86871).