Characterized by mottled brown overall color, with five alternating irregular whitish and brown blotches or saddles dorsally on body; lower half of side with 5-7 rectangular brown blotches; white spots and blotches on cheek and operculum; upper 4-5 pectoral rays branched to base, tips membrane-free; rounded caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 37-38; predorsal scales 10-12, nearly reaching to above rear margin of preopercle; scales absent on cheek and operculum; ctenoid body scales, becoming cycloid on abdomen, breast and nape; depressed head, width greater than depth; depth of body 5.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).