This species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: P 17-19 (mode 18), middle rays branched; GR 19-22; pored lateral-line scales 2-5; GR 19-22 (20); small slit behind 4th gill arch; no palatine teeth; 2nd preopercular spine small; nuchal and parietal spines distinct; lateral lacrimal spine usually absent; suborbital spines 4-7; head width 14.7-16.9 (mean 15.4) % of SL [33.3-37.9 (35.6) % of HL]; snout length 9.9-11.0 (10.5) % of SL [23.2-25.9 (24.4) % of HL]; orbit diameter 13.4-16.1 (15.1) % of SL [31.0-37.3 (34.9) % of HL]; caudal-fin length 25.6-29.5 (27.6) % of SL; caudalpeduncle length 19.1-23.8 (20.6) % of SL. Colouration: head dark reddish-brown; body pinkish, with numerous tiny dark spots forming 4 faint brownish saddles and tiny blackish spots on abdomen and posterior part of caudal peduncle; all fins pinkish (except pectoral fin reddish); single black blotch on posterior area of spinous dorsal fin between 6th-10th spines (Ref. 128947).