This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI + I, 8, there are no elongate or filamentous spines; A I,8; pectoral rays 17; emarginate caudal fin with pointed upper lobe and rounded lower lobe; the fifth pelvic ray is branched, 74% length of fourth pelvic ray; the basal membrane is relatively well-developed, 41% length of fourth pelvic ray; the bony interorbital about equal to pupil diameter; the midline of predorsal mainly scaleless, but with patch of about 4 scales on middle portion; no scales on cheek; few scales dorsally on opercle; highly distinctive colour pattern with 7 alternating brown and white bars on upper side, a nearly eye-sized black spot at base of caudal fin, and pair of yellow bars on head, 1 below eye and another on opercle (Ref. 100512).