Distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: D 12-13 (iii-iv + II + 7); A 10-11 (iii-iv + II + 5); P 7 (I + 6); pelvic-fin rays 5 (I + 4); principal caudal-fin rays 13 (I + 11 + I); dorsal procurrent rays 16-17 (xv-xvi + I); ventral procurrent rays 12-15 (xi-xiv + I); vertebrae 39-40; ribs 14 or 15; anal-fin origin in vertical through just anterior to posterior dorsal-fin base end; dorsal-fin origin in vertical through centrum of 20th or 21st vertebra; anal-fin origin in vertical through centrum of 24th or 25th vertebra; 16 or 17 dorsal procurrent caudal-fin rays; body width 10.8-11.8 % SL; well-developed pelvic fin, pelvic-fin length 7.0-8.6 % SL;

38-41 teeth on premaxilla and 35-39 dentary; 12-15 ventral procurrent caudal-fin rays; 11-13 opercular odontodes. Coloration: flank with rounded black spots arranged in three irregular longitudinal rows, overlapped by a high concentration of small dark brown spots that are placed at a more superficial skin layer are observed in adult specimens (ca. > 50 mm SL) (Ref. 129458).