Presence of interorbital and post-orbital pores but without preopercular pores. Head and body pearly grey with mid-lateral row of rounded black spots and distinct black blotch or spot on ventral base of caudal fin, soft dorsal and anal fins with white and black spots, black spot near base of first dorsal spine and elongate blackish streak on first dorsal fin between fourth to sixth dorsal fin spines. Fourth first dorsal fin spine usually longest. Second dorsal rays usually I,7. Anal rays usually I,8. Pectoral rays 17-21, usually 20. Longitudinal scales 23-28. Transverse scales backward 8-9 1/2. Predorsal scales 7-10, cycloid, anteriormost scale in interorbital space (Ref. 56945).