This species is distinguished by the following characters: tail 1.9-2.1, head 14-18, and body depth 53-74 in total length; preopercular pores 3 and pores in supratemporal canal 5 (rarely 6); anterior margin of orbit is above or behind tip of lower jaw; conical teeth, uniserial on jaws and vomer (5 vomerine teeth); body coloration when preserved pale with dark brown or dark orange blotches on preopercle and supratemporal, smaller spots on body and tail, cephalic pores and lateral-line pores in conspicuous pale spots and MVF 66-143, total vertebrae 141-145 (n= 3) (Ref. 101270).