This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D XII, 9; pectoral-fin rays 18; scale rows in longitudinal series 44 or 45; pored lateral-line scales 23; scale rows above lateral line 6 or 7, below lateral line 12, between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5, between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5; upper gill rakers 6, lower gill rakers 13 [9 or 10 and 3 or 4 on ceratohyal and hypobranchial, respectively], total gill rakers 19; no longitudinal ridge on lateral surface of maxilla; no lateral lacrimal spine; suborbital spines 3; no second preopercular spine; minute slit behind last gill arch; many small cycloid scales on base of pectoral fin and ventral surface of body between isthmus and posterior to pelvic fin; several lower pectoral-fin rays distinctly elongated; pectoral-fin ray length 37.6-40.0% of SL; first anal-fin spine length 6.9-8.5% SL; second anal-fin spine length 23.3-25.5% SL; third anal-fin spine length 22.7-23.1% SL;pelvic-fin spine length 17.9-18.1% SL; longest pelvic-fin soft ray length 26.6-29.2% SL; preserved specimens with pale yellowish body and pectoral fins, and indistinct blotches on body above lateral line (Ref. 1322449).