Diagnosis: Pectoral fin rays 18-20 (modally 19); lateral scale rows 38-42; upper jaw length 12.5-15.9 % SL; first dorsal fin with 1-4 dark blotches on each spine, producing 1-4 distinct longitudinal stripes of pigment, stripes fading distally; predorsal squamation reaching anteriorly to vertical through posterior margin of preopercle, sometimes extending slightly beyond this point or falling short just short of it, rarely reaching postorbital spots; trunk with two offset rows of 6-7 dark blotches ventrally, often forming distinctive pattern resembling alternating dark squares on a checkerboard; first row positioned just below lateral midline and extending from beneath pectoral fin to caudal fin base; second row of spots offset from first, positioned just above ventral midline and extending from beneath pectoral fin to caudal fin base; spots in lower row typically more diffuse than spots in upper row, becoming more diffuse posteriorly (Ref. 85559).