Dorsal-fin spines XIII or XIV (usually XIV); dorsal-fin rays 16 or 17 (usually 16); anal-fin rays 17 or 18 (usually 17); pectoral-fin rays 15 or 16 (usually 16); scales large, about 43 or 44 in longitudinal series; gill rakers 5 or 6 + 12 or 13; supraneural bone 1; body depth 1.7-1.8 in SL; head length 3.2-3.5 in SL; last dorsal spine longest, 1.2-1.4 in HL; preopercular spine (10.0%-12.8% SL), slightly longer than eye diameter; relatively deep cheek depth (13.6%-5.5% SL); color when alive bluish-black with whitish posterior caudal-fin margin, pectoral fin rays black, and fin membrane transparent; color in alcohol uniformly black with a transparent posterior caudal-fin margin (Ref. 89471).