This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: presence of a broad (at least one scale wide) and conspicuous dark midlateral stripe, markedly darker than the vertical bars (when present), extending continuously from posterior margin of the opercle to the base of the caudal fin; absence of a distinct humeral blotch, either rounded or vertically elongated; four horizontal scale rows above the lateral line; 12 circumpeduncular rows of scales; parietal branch of the supraorbital canal present; clearly visible basicaudal dark spot located somewhat posterior to the end of the longitudinal dark stripe; complete lateral line; presence of adipose fin; presence of the parietal branch of the supraorbital laterosensory canal; dark lateral stripe, which occupies approximately one scale row; 31-32 pored lateral-line scales; absence of small dark spot immediately anterior to the insertion of the first dorsal-fin ray and, when present, by having 11-16 vertical bars; reddish-brown hue on the paired, dorsal and caudal fins of majority of the specimens; presence of postcleithrum 1 and, when present, by having 11-16 vertical bars; presence of scales on the isthmus; and five rows of scales below the lateral line (Ref. 138782).