This species is distinguished by the following characters: dorsoposterior of eye without tentacle, cornification or spot; no constriction at premaxillary symphysis of upper lip; first dorsal-fin spines are short, posteriormost spines reaching just beyond second element of second dorsal fin when appressed; anterior nares in small tube and not darkly pigmented; nape has a low membranous crest; absence of gular spots; not spots on scales on dorsum; when alive, with a large blackish blotch on posterior part of first dorsal fin and 4 large diffuse spots along the mid-side of body and one spot on caudal-fin base, also indistinct; no saddle on caudal peduncle; cycloid (reduced ctenoid) scales; naked prepelvic region; lateral scales 100-112; pectoral-fin rays 22; pelvic fins are dusky, not barred or mottled (Ref. 103856).