This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: with a rigid upper jaw lacking flexible lamina posteriorly, extending 0.9 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; infraorbitals are moderately robust with large sensory canal openings, the third infraorbital with moderate suborbital shelf; D XI,15; A III,16; vertebrae 10+19; scale rows in horizontal series about 63-64; lateral-line terminus is below segmented dorsal-fin rays 6 or 7. Colouration: caudal fin with a pair of conspicuous oblong, pale, basicaudal spots against dark background; inner lining of upper jaw and adjacent membranes with posterior black blotch that is externally visible; head and body various shades of brown, with darker mid-lateral stripe with irregular margins (Ref. 128653).