This species is distinguished by the following characters: D rays 11-12; A rays 11; total caudal rays 40-42; dorsal segmented caudal rays 9; ventral segmented caudal rays 9-10; dorsal procurrent caudal rays 11-12; ventral procurrent caudal rays 9-10; pelvic-fin rays 8; pectoral-fin rays 11-13; total vertebrae 49-52 (modally 50); pored lateral-line scales 49-52 (modally 51); median predorsal scales 16-17; scale rows on cheek 6-8; HL 15.2-28.4% SL (26.6%); orbit diameter 3.6-6.4% SL (4.7%) and 13.4-22.5% HL (17.2%); interorbital width 2.8-5.3% SL (4.3%) and 10.1-19.4% HL (15.9%); flap on anterior nostril is small and broad, its length 1.5-3.6% HL (2.4%); snout triangular in dorsal view; pelvic-fin length 23.1-26.7% SL (24.9%); when preserved, 3-6 dark bars on caudal fin spanning upper and lower lobes; with a small, rectangular-shaped, black scapular blotch (length 5.1-12.2% HL, mean 8.4%); there are 9-13 dark bars on trunk; colour in life, adults tan to olive and with unevenly distributed yellow stripes along body (Ref. 93218).