The species is distinguished by having the following characters: unscaled-abdomen, 3 scale rows above posterior pored lateral line; a very short blunt snout, spiny preorbital flange; pored lateral-line scales mode of 14 or 15; broadly black-speckled second dorsal fin in adults, especially males (shared only with E. matador). Colour: mature adults with black spinous dorsal fins; yellowish rear body and tail, especially in mature males; melanophores extending from last body bar onto proximal third of caudal fin (unless obscured by bright yellow); interspace between third and fourth body bars half or less of interspace between fourth and fifth body bars, the last dark body bar usually extending onto the basal third of the caudal fin; three dark blotches along anal fin (except uniformly dusky in mature males); fresh and especially preserved specimens show two large black blotches on each side behind opercular flap, within a usually narrowly split first body bar (Ref. 119367).

Description: body somewhat stout and elongate; 3 dorsal fins III + XII + 7-8; body with large ctenoid scales, except naked abdomen and pectoral-fin base; head generally unscaled,

except upper end of opercle with 3-7 ctenoid scales (preopercle naked); fins bare except base of caudal fin with about 3 large flat cycloid scales (Ref. 119367).