This species is distinguished in having 3 dorsal spines; a low naked fleshy nuchal crest ; dorsal angle of opercular bone broad, not forming a distinct exposed, pointed spine. It also has the following features: vomer and palatines edentate; subopercle and preopercle entire; 10 abdominal and 20-21 caudal vertebrae; scales including those on head and pelvic region large and ctenoid; interorbital with a single row of large scales, extending to, or just beyond

anterior margin of eye; suborbital scales reaching a vertical between anterior margin of pupil and anterior margin of eye; and, head and body moderately compressed (body width 1.3- 1.55 in depth in adults) (Ref. 59348).