This species is distinguished by the following characters: body moderately deep, its depth 2.5-2.9 times in standard length; head length 0.9-1 times in body depth, 2.6-3.1 times in SL, dorsal profile near eye nearly straight, or in large individuals, distinctly concave; snout moderately long, its length about 1.8-2.4 times in HL, measured without the lip the snout is 0.8-1 times in cheek height, its dorsal profile nearly straight or concave, snout angle relative to upper jaw between 50° and 68°; interorbital space usually convex; posterior nostril an oblong longitudinal opening, closer to orbit than anterior nostril or, about halfway between orbit and anterior nostril eye not close to dorsal profile except in small individuals, its length 3.6-5.9 times in HL; cheek moderately high, its height 2.4-3 times in HL; lateral teeth in jaws rounded with points or molars that often have tubercles; outer surface of maxilla smooth or with a longitudinal ridge; D X, 9 with the 4th or 5th dorsal-fin spine usually the longest, its length 2.7-3.6 times in body depth; A III,8 with the first soft ray usually the longest, its length almost equal to or slightly shorter than length of base of soft-rayed portion of anal fin and 1.3-1.6 times in length of entire anal-fin base; pectoral-fin rays 13; pelvic-fin membranes between rays closest to body usually with dense melanophores; cheek without scales; 46-48 lateral-line scales; 5 ½ scale rows between lateral line and base of middle dorsal-fin spines; 16-17 scale rows in transverse series between origin of anal fin and lateral line; usually 15 rows in lower series of scales around caudal peduncle; 5-9 scales in supratemporal patch; inner surface of pectoral-fin base densely covered with scales; posterior angle of operculum fully scaly. Colour of body yellowish or bronze, lighter below, centers of many scales with a white or light blue spot, sometimes irregular dark indistinct bars on sides and a square black blotch above pectoral fins bordering below lateral line; 3 blue streaks or series of blue spots radiating forward and ventrally from eye; fins whitish or yellowish, pelvic fins dusky, edge of dorsal fin reddish. Juveniles variable with blotches or stripe and changes with habitat (Ref. 114226).