This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: first spine of each dorsal fin rigid and thickened; large ctenoid scales covering body and predorsal region; posterior edge of preopercle without spines; cheek and opercle naked; dorsal-fin rays VI-I, 9 (5%) or 10 (95%); anal-fin rays I, 9 (2.5%) or 10 (97.5%); second or third spine of first dorsal fin longest, each without filamentous tip; pectoral-fin rays 15-17 [15 (20%), 16 (65%), or 17 (15%)]; longitudinal scale rows 26 (27.5%) or 27 (72.5%); predorsal scales 6-9 [6 (2.5%), 7 (30.0%), 8 (60.0%), or 9 (7.5%)]; snout short, length 4.7%-6.4% of SL; second dorsal-fin spine short, length 7.8%-11.0% of SL; row a almost double; 4 or 5 longitudinal sensory papillae rows on cheek; row ot uniserial; row n transverse; a broken black line internally along vertebral column in fresh specimens; first dorsal fin with a black blotch near base in males; body without distinct dotted lines, except for midlateral row of five large black blotches; pelvic frenum translucent; and maximum size ca. 32 mm SL (Ref. 138810).