This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: D 9 or 10 (usually 9); pectoral fin rays 17-19 (18); scale rows in longitudinal series 37-42 (38); pored lateral-line scales 23-25 (24); scale rows above lateral line 4-6 (5), below lateral line 9-11 (10), between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5 or 6 (5), and between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5-7 (5); upper gill rakers 5-7 (6), lower gill rakers 9-16 (13) [8-10 (9) and 0-7 (4) on ceratohyal and hypobranchial, respectively], Total gill rakers 16-22 (19); a longitudinal ridge usually present on lateral surface of maxilla; presence of lateral lacrimal spine; 3 suborbital spines; presence of 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; first dorsal-fin ray length 14.7-19.1 (mean 17.3) % of SL; second dorsal-fin ray length 14.6-18.9 (17.3) % of SL; third dorsal fin ray length 15.6-18.9 (17.4) % of SL; fourth dorsal-fin ray length 15.2-19.1 (17.2) % of SL; fifth dorsal-fin ray length 14.2-19.5 (16.8) % of SL; body bright orange to reddish white when fresh; and pale yellowish body and pectoral fins, with indistinct blotches above lateral line when preserved (Ref. 137823).