This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: D XXVIII-XXX; A 65-67; vertical lateral lines on the body 26-27; whitish yellow round spots 8-9, present in a row in between every two vertical lines and first dorsal spine originate at the level or a little behind the end of pectoral fin; comparatively greater body width (7.5-8.3 % SL), shorter dorsal (10.5- 13.0 % HL) and anal spines (13.2- 16.7 % HL), smaller eyes (3.7- 4.8 % HL), interorbital width 10.0-10.9 % HL, shorter width of gape of mouth (7.7- 9.7 % HL) and shorter lower jaw (9.1- 10.9 % HL); dorsal (2.2- 2.9 % SL), pectoral (28.6- 32.1) and anal fins (1.7- 2.6) are also

comparatively shorter in Macrognathus fasciatus (Ref. 95044). Further differs with relative species by the presence of pre-orbital spine; spinous part of dorsal fin originating at vertical through the level of or slightly behind the end of pectoral fin; head length 14.8-16.5 % SL; head depth 36.8-41.8 % HL; pre-dorsal length 22.2-26.1 % SL; height of dorsal fin 2.2-2.9 % SL; height of anal fin 1.7-2.6 %SL; pre-anal length 53.0-59.4 % SL. Colouration: body dark brown; presence of distinct vertical bands on the body (Ref. 97143).