This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI + I,12; A I,12; pectoral rays 17; cycloid scales, partially to complete embedded, nonimbricate, not in regular rows, about 120-125 in longitudinal series; naked head; elongated body, the depth at anal-fin origin 7.75-7.9 in SL, compressed; head length 3.55-3.6 in SL; eye extending little above dorsal profile of head; orbit diameter 4.35-4.45 in head length; gill opening reaching forward to below rear margin of preopercle; the first dorsal spine is longest, 3.0-3.15 in SL, twice length of longest dorsal soft ray; caudal fin slightly pointed, longer than head length; pelvic fins are fully united, nearly reaching anus, 3.45-3.5 in SL, with well developed frenum; colouration when fresh - pale grey with a series of 14 dark brown bars on body, much wider than pale interspaces and broken into one or two spots dorsally; head with irregular, close-set, dark brown spots of variable size, generally smaller anteriorly; first dorsal fin with close-set, dark brown spots, are larger posteriorly; third membrane of the first dorsal fin with a curved white mark on a large black spot near margin; second dorsal fin is whitish with a blackish margin, a middle dark brown stripe, and a row of large, dark brown, bilobed spots along its base; dorsal part of caudal fin with an oblique, blackish-edged, bluish white band (Ref. 88846).