This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: D X-XI,11-13 (modally XI,12), total rays 22-23 (23), first dorsal-fin spine is much shorter than the second dorsal-fin spine, their bases close together; A II-III,8-11 (II,10), total rays 11-13 (12); lateral-line tubes 16-19 (17); width between the interorbital ridges 1.4-3.7% (mean 2.9%) of SL; pelvic-fin base length 12.2-16.6% (14.4%) of SL. Colouration: body brownish dorsally, reddish ventrally, and with oblique alternating dark and light stripes; pectoral fin inner surface is largely yellow, with narrow dark stripes along the rays and small dark spots, blotches or broken stripes on membranes between rays (Ref. 128010).