Characterized by pale grey body color with large, irregular brown blotches dorsally on head and upper half of body; five, horizontally elongate dark brown blotches arranged in a longitudinal row at side of body; generally translucent fins except white pelvics; upper and lower pectoral fin base with dark brown spot; dorsal rays VI+I,11, thin and flexible dorsal spines; anal rays I,11; pectoral rays 18; lanceolate caudal fin, longer than head length; pelvic fin rays I,5, frenum well developed; longitudinal scale series 32-33; transverse scales from origin of second dorsal fin ventroposteriorly to anal fin base 8; transverse scales from anal fin origin dorsoanteriorly to first dorsal fin base 9; predorsal scales 13-14; cycloid scales covering body; head without scales except dorsally and laterally on nape (Ref. 90102).