This species is distinguished with the following set of characters: HL 8.8–10.9% TL; tail length 59.3-64.4% TL, relatively broad and tapering slowly; snout is relatively acute, its length 17.3-21.0% HL; preopercular pores 3; teeth on upper jaw uniserial, teeth on vomer generally uniserial; dorsal-fin origin is usually just above or posterior to a vertical through pectoral-fin insertion; anterior dorsal-fin membrane has a distinct dark blotch; cephalic sensory pores margined dark brown, with additional black pit rows on snout, cheek and lower jaw; body with obscure distorted bars (alive and preserved), but sometime faded (less in young specimens); predorsal 10-14 and preanal lateral-line pores 59-64; pectoral-fin rays 14-16; predorsal 11-13, preanal 61-63 and total vertebrae 177-184; mean vertebral formula 12-62-181 (Ref. 132095).