This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: dorsal-fin rays 8 or 9 (usually 9); pectoral-fin rays 18 or 19 (19); scale rows in longitudinal series 36-38 (38); pored lateral-line scales 24; scale rows above lateral line 4 or 5 (5), below lateral line 9 or 10 (10), between 6th dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5 or 6 (5), and between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5 or 6 (5); upper gill rakers 5 or 6 (5), lower gill rakers 10-13 (12) [8-10 (9) and 2-4 (3) on ceratohyal and hypobranchial, respectively], total gill rakers 15-18 (18); presence of longitudinal ridge on lateral surface of maxilla; presence of lateral lacrimal spine; 3 suborbital spines; presence of 2nd preopercular spine; 4th preopercular spine small, directed posteroventrally; upper posttemporal spine usually present; minute slit behind last gill arch; many small cycloid scales on base of pectoral fin and ventral surface of body from isthmus to beyond pelvic fin; posterior margin of soft-rayed portion of dorsal-fin rounded; fin membrane between last dorsal-fin soft ray and caudal peduncle present; 2nd dorsal-fin ray length 18.6-20.8 (19.5) % SL; 3rd dorsal-fin ray length 19.1-20.4 (19.6) % SL; 4th dorsal-fin ray length 18.0-20.5 (19.1) % SL; 5th dorsal-fin ray length 17.6-20.3 (18.6) % SL; 3rd preopercular spine length 1.3-3.0 (2.2) % HL; 4th preopercular spine length 0.7-2.0 (1.2) % HL; pale yellowish body and pectoral fins, with indistinct blotches above lateral line when preserved (Ref. 133153).