This species is distinguished by the following characters: D III,XXIII-XXV,2-3 (usually 3); A II,15-18 (usually 17); pectoral rays 11-12 (usually 12); gill rakers on outer face of first arch 2-4 + 6-9 = 8-12 (usually 10–11); circumorbital head pores uniserial (12-16 pores); orbital tentacle is low, broad, with rounded distal margin about 1–1/2 to 2 times as long as wide; nasal tentacle is short, rounded with an expanded tip; middle gill rakers and uppermost rakers on outer face of first arch are not branched dorsally; first dorsal fin is slightly elevated (second dorsal spine 8.0-11.9% SL, decreasing slightly with increasing growth) originating over the middle of preoperculum; third dorsal spine id usually slightly in front of a vertical from pelvic origin; last dorsal ray is connected by a membrane to posterior part of caudal peduncle to upper base of caudal fin; body is moderate to deep, proportion increasing significantly with size (depth at anal origin 24.5–31.1% SL in specimens 2.58-5.1 cm SL, 26.5-32.7% SL in specimens 5.1-7.77 cm SL). Coluration: body brown to reddish brown or purple, often with 3-4 distinct dark, longitudinal bands or large spots forming horizontal rows; with a silver or white bar extending horizontally from posterior margin of eye at level of lower pupil margin; dark brown bars below the base of dorsal fins broader than light spaces between bars; interspinal membranes of second dorsal fin with without pigment forming a series of clear windows, rarely without clear windows or with windows extending over two spines; anal fin with similar clear windows between rays (Ref. 132458).