This species is distinguished by the following characters: D X,11; A III, 6; P 14; gill rakers 3 + 11; scales below 1D origin about 5 and below 2D 4+1+8-9; pored lateral line scales 44, circumpeduncular scales 1+9+1+10 (total 21); tubular anterior nostril, the rim is greatly elevated posteriorly and having 7-8 long cirri at tip; cycloid scales except for a hard, sharply spinulated suprascapular scale bone above the upper opening of the gill cover; a weakly emarginate caudal fin, with upper and lower lobes about equal; interradial membrane of soft dorsal and anal fins scaly on basal 1/2 to 1/3; cycloid scales covering the nape, opercle, preopercle, interopercle, mandibualr ramus, pectoral-fin base and chest; presence of a bold, black spot between the last 3 spines and first soft dorsal ray formed above broad black saddle on dorsal half of body (Ref. 118671).