This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: caudal fin with black posterior margin; lateral body scales with centrally discontinuous vertical striae, and few perforations and pores posteriorly; lateral scales in longitudinal series 38-41 (modally 38); deciduous body scales; dorsal-fin origin black spot; pelvic fin with one unbranched and seven branched rays; gill rakers on first gill arch 40-53 + 71-84 = 112-137, on 2nd gill arch 40-56 + 70-94 = 112-148, on 3rd gill arch 37-52 + 57-75 = 95-127; on 4th gill arch 31-43 + 44-63 = 78-106; gill rakers on hind face of 3rd gill arch 30-43; scutes on ventral edge of body 17 or 18 (18) + 12 or 13 (13) = 29-31 (30) ; A 18-21 (20) rays; lower jaw rather short, 10.4-11.6% of SL (Ref. 119726).

Description: This species can be distinguished from the S. pacifica by having lower counts of lateral scales in the longitudinal series (38-41 vs. 44-46); pseudobranchial filaments (14-19 vs. 19-22); postpelvic scutes (12 or 13 vs. 13 or 14); shorter lower jaw (10.4-11.6% SL vs. 11.1-12.2%); the deciduous body scales vs. non-deciduous (Ref. 119726).