This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D2 X-XIII (modally 11); D3 7-10; A I,15-17 (16); pectoral-fin rays i-v (iii) + 3-7 (5) + vi-viii (vii) = 13-16 (15); pored lateral-line scales 11-15 (13); notched lateral-line scales 17-22 (20); scale rows in longitudinal series 29-34 (32); scales above first pored lateral-line scale 1-3 (1) ; scales below first notched lateral-line scale 2-4 (3) ; circumpeduncular scales 8; mandibular pore formula 2-4 + 1 + 1-4 (usually 3 + 1 + 3); head short, its length 24.7-32.4% (mean 28.6%) of SL; upper jaw short, its length 7.4-11.0% (9.6%) of SL; first spine of first dorsal fin shorter than that of second dorsal-fin, its length 7.6-11.4% (8.7%) of SL; anterior nostril tentacle is unbranched; orbital tentacle slender, pointed distally, its length less than or subequal to half of pupil diameter. Colouration: head (except for nape and upper half of opercle), body, and pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fins black in nuptial males, particularly dark on lower half of head, and pectoral and caudal fins; membranes of all dorsal fins and anal fin grayish with yellow or orange pigmentation; body generally yellowish-white, with scattered brownish-orange pigmentation, particularly along scale margins, darker on lateral surface forming indistinct A-shaped bars in pale males and females; pectoral-fin rays are distinctly flecked with brown pigmentation, forming ca. 4 or 5 narrow vertical bands on fin; no distinct oblique lines on anal-fin membranes (Ref. 138615).