This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D XI,11; pectoral fin 21-22; longitudinal scale rows 45-48; gill rakers on first gill arch 13-14 + 23-24 = 36-37; orbit diameter 10.7-11.5 % of SL; sensory pores 2 (I4 and I5) on posterior half of interorbital space; first 2 mandibular pores (M1, M2) well-spaced, and fifth pore (M5) with a single opening; lateral line terminating below the 2nd-4th dorsal fin soft ray base (dorsal fin element 13.5-14.5); distal incision of 3rd to 5th dorsal-fin spines is moderate; anteroventral surface of upper lip is smooth. Colouration: body uniformly whitish-green covered with slight brown pigmentation; the lateral surface of head with several gray, roughly irregular blotches; dorsal-fin membrane is whitish-green, no notable patterns or markings when fresh; anterior gular region unpigmented (chin and area adjacent to anterior two mandibular pores with a few scatted melanophores) (Ref. 137491).