This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: the second to sixth dorsal-fin spines are distinctly long, the eighth and ninth spines distinctly short; pored lateral-line scales 35-36; scale rows between lateral line and the base of sixth dorsal-fin spine 4; lateral side of body with faint black blotches; developed gill rakers 1 (upper limb) + 7-8 (lower limb), total gill

rakers 14-17; cheek scale rows 4-5; preopercular serrae 37-50; interopercular serrae 8-14; subopercular serrae 14-22; posttemporal with a small bony crest with 2-4 serrae; interorbital scales extended to or slightly posterior to the level through the mid orbits; approximately two rows of small scales on the ventral side of the angular, dentary completely naked. Colouration: body and head orange red with four faint blotches on lateral side; the soft portion of dorsal and anal fins with several yellowish stripes; upper tip of caudal fin reddish (Ref. 125677).