Distinguished by the following characteristics: whitish color; head, body and fins with numerous large close-set hexagonal to roundish dark brown to blackish spots; ctenoid body scales except cycloid dorsoanteriorly above lateral line, on thorax and abdomen; body with auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 2.7-3.2 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins, 1.7-2.1 in head length (Ref. 90102); head length 2.3-2.6 times in SL; evenly curved dorsal head profile; snout subequal to eye diameter, snout length 4.6-5.3 times in HL; rounded preopercle or subangular; upper edge of operculum almost straight; posterior nostril diameter about twice that of anterior nostrils; maxilla reaches to or past vertical at rear edge of eye; 2-3 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; lower jaw barely projecting in front of upper jaw (Ref. 89707).