This species differs from its congeners by the following characters: mouth terminal and slightly oblique; upper pectoral fin base dusky, not dark; a large dark patch above the pectoral fin base on trunk just beneath nape, most distinct in males and large females; second dorsal fin with 13 elements, anal fin with 14 elements; the first and second dorsal fins are not broadly connected; small ctenoid scales on the body posteriorly, with cycloid scales limited to anteriormost portion of trunk, 50-73 in a lateral series; nape with many small scales; first gill arch with 8 thin rakers on ceratobranchial and 7 on epibranchial; third transverse suborbital row of free neuromasts on cheek extending dorsally above horizontal midcheek row ‘b’, usually to orbit; horizontal midcheek row ‘b’ not extending forward beyond third transverse suborbital row (Ref. 55435).