This species is distinguished by the following characters: with a rigid upper jaw lacking flexible lamina posteriorly, extending about 0.6 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; infraorbitals are relatively slender and tubular, third infraorbital with short posterolateral projecting arm ending with large sensory canal opening, no suborbital shelf; D XI,11; A II,10; vertebrae 10+16. Colouration: tips of dorsal-fin spines with conspicuous pale tabs; dorsum with a row of 5 dark blotches extending distinctly onto the dorsal fin; nape with a dark blotch slightly in front of dorsal-fin origin; last blotch on dorsal fin is distinctly narrower than anterior blotches; head with small dusky spots or blotches (Ref. 128653).