This species is characterized by the following: spots on the sides are larger than scales and not clearly aligned (vs. smaller than scales and rather well-aligned); stripe from the snout to the eye is interrupted (vs. continuous); quadrate bone with a spine (vs. none); maxilla reaching both a vertical and a horizontal line from orbit (vs. just to the ventral rim); cheek-scale rows modally 7 (vs. 6 or fewer); interradial scales on dorsal fin arranged in a row (vs. distally in two rows); dorsal and anal fins without filaments (vs. bearing filaments); anal and medial gut-loops not adjacent, well separated by the stomach and the liver (vs. always adjacent); rostral end of maxilla is notched or at least concave (vs. convex, notch absent); caudal ocellus blue in life (vs. white) (Ref. 74403).