This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: pectoral-fin rays 14-16 (modally 15); scale rows in longitudinal series 44-51 (47); scales above lateral line 4-6 (5); scale rows between last dorsal spine base and lateral line 4-7 (6); pre-dorsal scale rows 4-8 (5); suborbital scale rows 0-4 (2); total gill rakers 15-19 (17); head length 38.3-43.1 (mean 40.2) %SL; orbit diameter 11.1-14.5 (12.4) %SL; upper-jaw length 18.6-21.5 (20.2) %SL; length of longest dorsal-fin soft ray 18.0-23.0 (20.2) %SL; length of longest anal-fin soft ray 21.0-27.0 (23.7) %SL; caudal-fin length 30.4-44.7 (35.7) %SL; posterior lacrimal spine usually directed posteriorly, not curved upward distally; spine(s) on corner of outer angular ridge not developed, size similar to other spines on ridge, directed ventrally; spines often absent on median lateral ridge of maxilla, rarely 1-3 spines present in large adults (>80 mm SL); a large number of small spots on caudal fin, 5-26 (mean 13.3) spots on longest caudal-fin ray (Ref. 93969).