Diagnosis: 36 (Ref. 11970) or 38-43 (Ref. 81638) lateral line scales. Total dorsal rays 15-18; dorsal fin not becoming elongate ontogenetically, tip of fin extending at most to vertical between posterior limit of base of dorsal fin and origin of adipose fin; flanks without distinct markings other than some dusky, vertically elongate spots on mid-lateral surface; vertically elongate dark spot present on base of middle rays of caudal fin (Ref. 81638).

Description: body relatively deep, 0.33-0.42 SL, proportionally deeper in larger specimens, distinctly laterally compressed; mouth subterminal with 2 rows of bicuspid teeth in each jaw; maxilla edentulous; premaxilla with (9-)10, dentary with (9)-10 teeth in outer row; caudal fin lobes pointed, scales overlying rays; scales limited to basal portions of middle rays of each lobe in smaller individuals and extending further distally in larger specimens; body scales ctenoid and of moderate size; 5-6 scales between anal fin origin and lateral line; D: II-III,13-15; A: II-III,10-12 (Ref. 81638).

Coloration: preserved specimens yellowish to light brown, darker dorsally on head and body; head with dark pigmentation anterior to orbit and on opercle; ctenii of scales, particularly on lateral and dorsolateral portions of body, with dark chromatophores that form faint reticulate pattern; sometimes deeper-lying, dark pigmentation forming irregular, vertically elongate marks in regions along, and proximate to, lateral line in area posterior of vertical through origin of dorsal fin; such pigmentation is more obvious in smaller individuals; distinct, very elongate dark spot located over posterior-most portion of caudal peduncle and mid-basal portions of caudal fin; dorsal fin with distinct, dark mark that extends from distal two thirds of last unbranched ray to basal portions of middle and posterior rays; mark with form of posteriorly concave arch; other fins unpigmented or faintly dusky (Ref. 81638).