This species is distinguished by the following characters: 3½ scale rows above lateral line to base of middle dorsal-fin spines; spineless at anterior end of nasal bones of adults or subadults; 28 lateral-line scales; D XII,13; last two dorsal-fin spines subequal; pectoral-fin rays 15; height of second suborbital bone below center of eye about 1/3 of eye diameter; median prepelvic scales 14; gill rakers 7 + 13; snout length 4.85-5.0 in HL; anterior ends of palatine tooth patches reach level of center of vomerine tooth patch; dorsal profile of head nearly straight, becoming slightly convex on nape; depth of body 2.2 in SL; head length 2.1-2.3 in SL; least depth of caudal peduncle 4.59-4.85 in HL; colour when fresh is light red, each scale on body with a silvery white dash, forming longitudinal white broken lines (Ref. 114923).