This species is distinguished by the following characters: 26 (rarely 27) vertebrae; 18-22 (mostly 20-21) pectoral fin rays; 31-36 (usually 31-34, mode 32) longitudinal scales; absent or few predorsal scales; D1 low with non-filamentous spines, all almost of the same length except for shorter first and sixth or last spines in both sexes; pelvic disk with thin membranes, its frenum undeveloped with low, thin lamella; no mark on cheek; back and sides of body with 5-6 unclear dark saddles and 6-9 dark blotches; D1 without blotches but melanized to greater or lesser degree along the rays; dorsal edge of pectoral base with a small, dark spot tinged with blue metallic luster; breeding males yellow on suboperculum and branchiostegal region and on basal part of anal fin, blue on medial part of under jaw (Ref. 114784).