This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D X,13; A III,8; pectoral-fin rays often 16-17; lateral-line scales 48-50: horizontal scale rows above lateral line 5-6; scale rows on cheek 4-5; preopercular flange with several embedded scales; gill rakers on first arch 7-8 (6–7 rudiments) + 14-15 (4?5 rudiments), total gill rakers 22-23 (including rudiments); a pair of small rounded to elliptical nostrils on each side of snout, no conspicuous flap on outer edge of either nostril; predorsal scales extend forward to middle of interorbital. Colouration: below lateral line of the body are thin yellow to brownish stripes, adults with relatively uniform width stripes or at most, a more prominent slightly wider stripe from behind the eye to the upper caudal peduncle, occupying a single scale row and well less than half pupil width (vs, juveniles may have a wider lateral stripe); fins are mostly yellow (Ref. 106991).