This species is distinguished by the following characters: dorsal-fin soft rays 9 (rarely 10); pectoral-fin rays 18 (rarely 17 or 19); scale rows in longitudinal series 47-53; pored lateral-line scales 24; scale rows above lateral line 7-9, below 13-15; scale rows between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 6-8; scale rows between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 7 or 8; gill rakers in adults 19-21, in young 15-19; no median ridge on lateral surface of maxilla; no lateral lacrimal spine; simple anterior and posterior lacrimal spines, directed posteroventrally; suborbital spines 3; preopercular spines 5; no upper posttemporal spine; posterior margin of maxilla extending beyond posterior margin of pupil; slit behind fourth gill arch present; no swimbladder; relatively small eye with orbit diameter 14.5-15.4% SL; relatively narrow interorbital space, interorbital width at middle of eye 5.4-6.3% SL, at preocular spine base 4.7-5.6% SL; black blotch above first and second pored lateral-line scales (Ref. 86966).