This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI,9; A III,39-40; pectoral rays 17-19; lateral-line scales 52-56; ctenoid scales on side of chest, nape, and body below dorsal fin to the scale row above lateral line; scaled caudal fin on about basal fourth; gill rakers 29-31; body depth 2.0-2.1 in SL; head length 3.3-3.4 in SL; dorsal profile of head strongly convex; relatively small eye, orbit diameter 8.0-8.5 in SL; caudal-fin length 3.65-3.85 in SL, moderately emarginate, with caudal concavity 3.65-4.1 in head length; pectoral-fin length 3.3-3.4 in SL; color in alcohol yellowish to orangish brown; dorsal fin with brownish yellow rays, translucent yellow membranes, and a large blackish spot distally on posterior spines and anterior soft rays; anal fin with basal fourth dark reddish brown, a broad brownish yellow zone, and a narrow whitish border, except fin anterior to about fifth soft ray darker brown; caudal fin brown on scaled basal part, brownish yellow distally; paired fins brownish yellow; dark bluish gray iris with brown pupil (Ref. 97766).