This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: second dorsal-fin spines 11-13 (modally 12); third dorsal-fin rays 8-10; A I,16-17; pectoral-fin rays i-v + 3-7 + vi-viii = 14-17; pored lateral-line scales 12-14; notched lateral-line scales 18-22; scale rows in longitudinal series 30-32; scales above 1st pored lateral-line scale 1-3; scales below 1st notched lateral-line scale 2 or 3; circumpeduncular scales 8; mandibular pore formula 3-4 + 1 + 3-4 (usually 3 + 1 + 3); head long, its length 28.4-33.0% (mean 31.4%) of SL; upper jaw long, its length 9.5-13.1% (11.4%) of SL; first spine of first dorsal fin longer than that of second dorsal-fin, its length 11.2-15.5% (13.6%) of SL; anterior nostril tentacle is unbranched; orbital tentacle large, leaf-shaped, the edge rounded, its length slightly less than or subequal to pupil diameter, its width almost half of its length; body generally olive-green, head, including eye, snout, lips, cheek, opercle, and pectoral-fin base dense black in nuptial males. Colouration: body generally yellowish-white, with scattered brownish-orange pigmentation particularly along the scale margins, darker on lateral surface forming indistinct A-shaped or X-shaped bars in pale males and females; pectoral-fin rays flecked with broad brown pigmentation forming ca. 4 or 5 vertical bands on fin; anal fin generally black, with translucent margin in nuptial males; grayish pigmentation on central region of anal-fin rays in pale males and females; caudal fin semi-transparent with white with grayish rays (Ref. 138615).