This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D XII,9; A III,5; pectoral-fin rays 12-15 (mode 14); scale rows in longitudinal series 33-42; scale rows above lateral line 4-5; scale rows below lateral line 9-13; scale rows between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 3-4; scale rows between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 3-5; predorsal scale rows 2-4; gill rakers 11-17; with palatine teeth; body with ctenoid scales; simple anterior and posterior lacrimal spines; no lateral lacrimal spine and ridge; first and second suborbital ridges are fused to form single ridge with one suborbital spine at its end; lower opercular spine has a median ridge; opercular spines are not covered by scales; interorbital ridges are poorly developed, with shallow channel between ridges; coronal spines are usually absent, but poorly developed spines are rarely present. Colouration: a dark blotch is usually observed on subopercle and pectoral-fin base which is distinct in preserved specimens and males with a blurred dark blotch on spinous portion of dorsal (Ref. 118151).