This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: fewer than 45 longitudinal scales' two distinct yellow longitudinal stripes on the second dorsal, anal, and caudal fins; yellow spots scattered from occipit to dorsum of body; distinct yellow blotches and yellow upper margin on first dorsal fin; four faint yellowish-brown diamond-shaped lateral blotches on body; light brown coloration on cheek; dorsal-fin soft rays 11; anal-fin soft rays 11; longitudinal scales 32; predorsal-fin scales 12; caudal peduncle length 15.3% SL; length of longest second dorsal-fin ray 19.5% SL; snout length 24.4% HL; eye diameter 30.0% HL; preorbital depth 9.2% HL; fleshy dorsal margin of eyes contiguous with each other; dorsal-fin spines not filamentous; pelvic fins with complete connecting frenum; outer margin of caudal fin rounded; and recorded body size 77.0 mm SL (Ref. 138335).