Distinguished by the following characteristics: juveniles, pale brown with 7 broad dark bars, last covering most of caudal peduncle, upper half is black; prominent black maxillary streak; dark brown median and pelvic fins; translucent pectoral fins; adults pinkish gray in color, with or without dark bars; fins darker than body with white margins; depth of body contained 2.6-2.9 times in SL; head length 2.4-2.6 times in SL; slightly convex interorbital area and dorsal head profile; subangular preopercle, finely serrate, serrae on rounded corner not enlarged and ventral edge with 1-4 small serrae; almost straight upper edge of operculum; posterior nostrils 2-4 times larger than anterior nostrils; maxilla reaching almost to vertical at rear edge of eye; 2 rows of small teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw (Ref. 89707).