This species is distinguished by the following characters: precaudal vertebrae 18; first gill arch with long gill rakers 13-14; HL:HD 1.89-1.92; all head spines are strong, present on ethmoidal, lacrimal, prefrontal, interorbital, supraorbital, sphenotic, 5th infraorbital, supratemporal, inner and outer posttemporal, inner and outer preopercular rims; opercular spine sharp, strong, extruding; additional (3rd) postorbital pore, many cavities and/or pores on top of head; maxilla no scales; large opercular flap with ridges; lower lateral line pores extend until beginning of anal fin 22-23; vomer with broad dentition patch (5-7 rows of teeth); palatines with broad dentition patch (9 rows of teeth); otolith with single, uniform colliculum; OL:OH = 1.85-2.05; OL:TCL = 2.15-2.3 (Ref. 125143).