This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XIII,12-15 (usually 14); A II,13-15 (usually 14); pectoral-fin rays 16-18 (usually 18); tubed lateral-line scales 15-18 (rarely 15-16); total gill rakers on first arch 22-25 (usually 23-24); body depth 2.0-2.2 in SL; no scales on preorbital, a single row of scales on suborbital, often restricted to posterior part, continuing around posterior margin of eye; colour in life generally gray to bluish gray with thick black or dark-brown scale margins creating a network pattern; a small black spot restricted to the uppermost portion of pectoral-fin base; both sides of pectoral-fin axil white; dorsal and anal fins are dark gray or blackish with translucent portion posteriorly; caudal fin whitish; dorsal scleral surface of eye is bright blue. This species differs from from other members of the philippinus complex by having a small black spot restricted to the uppermost part of the pectoral-fin base vs. a large black spot that completely covers the base, and by having a white pectoral-fin axil vs. other colors or not especially colored (Ref. 114927).