This species is distinguished from all its congeners by the following set of characters: D VI-I, 9 or 10; anal-fin rays I,9 or 10; pectoral-fin rays 16 or 17; longitudinal scale series 27-29; transverse scales 9-11 (modally 10); pre-dorsal scales 0-9; first to third spines of the first dorsal fin with filamentous tips (usually the second spine has the longest); head and nape naked with body mostly covered with ctenoid scales; cycloid or weakly ctenoid scales on thorax and just above pectoral-fin base; papillae on cheek forming a longitudinal pattern while papillae on chin forming single transverse row. Colouration: brown stripes two from just behind pectoral-fin base to caudal-fin base; body with dark brown lateral blotches 5 (rarely 6), between lateral stripes; when fresh, blue spots (sometimes indistinct) between and just above lateral stripes, absent on lateral blotches; a black blotch on opercle; single black spot on chin; longitudinal red stripe on upper margin of caudal fin, with longitudinal bluish or yellowish stripe just below red stripe (Ref. 138301).