This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 11; pectoral fin 22-23; longitudinal scale rows 45-46; gill rakers on first gill arch of adults 15-16 + 25-26 = 40-42; orbit diameter 10.0-10.4 % of SL; sensory pores 2 (I4 and I5) present on the posterior half of the interorbital space; first 2 mandibular pores (M1 and M2) well-spaced, fifth pore (M5) with single opening;

lateral line terminating below the 2nd or 3rd dorsal-fin soft ray base (dorsal fin element 13 or 14); distal incision of 3rd to 5th dorsal-fin spines is moderate; anteroventral margin of upper lip crenulate. Colouration: body grayish-yellow, with fine brown and white vermiculations; lateral surface of the head grayish green, with rough gray vermiculation; dorsal-fin membrane is grayish-yellow, with several irregular white blotches when fresh; anterior gular region not pigmented (chin and area adjacent to anterior two mandibular pores with a few scattered melanophores (Ref. 137491).