This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: scale rows between the lateral line and middle of first dorsal-fin base 3 (2 full-sized plus 1 half-sized); pored lateral-line scales 42-45 (modally 42); pectoral-fin rays 15-16 (modally 15); predorsal scale rows 6; scale rows below the lateral line 9-10; circumpeduncular scales 16-17; no scale rows from ventral side of dentary; scale rows on interorbital area extending to mid-orbit level; maxilla is expanded posteriorly, covered ventrally by low skin fold; outermost row teeth of the upper jaw distinctly enlarged; gill rakers 6-7 + 10-12; developed gill rakers 1-2 + 6-8; serrations on preopercle 31-45; serrations on postemporal 2-5; body depth 4.1-4.3 in SL; head length 2.6-2.7 in SL; body with three, poorly-defined longitudinal rows of small whitish spots; dorsal fin transparent with about four longitudinal rows of bright yellow spots mostly covering the soft portion of fin; anal fin transparent white with yellow or reddish distal margin and three or four rows of bright yellow spots over its proximal half; posteriormost dorsal and anal-fin rays are with short alternating yellow and dark grey bands (Ref. 123773).