This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: dorsal profile of head inclined, slightly concave; dorsal-fin rays X, 15, fourth or fifth spine longest; pectoral-fin rays 15-16, at least 6 upper rays branched (excluding uppermost 1-2 unbranched rays); lateral-line scales 31-35; scales above lateral line to dorsal-fin origin 2; scales below lateral line to anal-fin origin 10-11; circumpeduncular scales 12; most body scales with basal (transforming) cteni; predorsal scales extend to level of posterior nostril; infraorbital series, maxilla, mandibles (dentary and anguloarticular) scaled; yellow and reddish orange stripes present on the body when fresh; horizontal dusky stripe in middle of dorsal fin; two supraneurals; trisegmental pterygiophores present, 7-11 and 4-5 associated with soft dorsal and anal fins, respectively; and branched caudal-fin rays 8+7 (Ref. 138486).