Diagnosis: body with 3 longitudinal dark bands, no pale striae along sides; head and bases of pectoral fins without pale spots; predorsal scales extend anteriorly to level of preoperculum or only just anterior to this, and the anterior margin of scaled area weakly emarginate in dorsal view; 3-4 outer/upper free pectoral-fin rays (Ref. 57403, 79590).

Description: 14-21 (usually 17 or 18) predorsal scales; 34-39 (usually 36 or 37) scales in longitudinal series (including usually 2 scales on caudal fin base), 12 or 13 in rearward transverse series; 1st dorsal fin: VI; 2nd dorsal fin: I,9-11 (usually 10); anal fin: I,8-10 (usually 9); pectoral fins: 17-19 (usually 18), the 3-4 outer (dorsal) ones free; caudal fin: 14 or 15 branched rays (Ref. 57403, 79590).

Coloration: 3 longitudinal dark bands on body: lower one along the mid-lateral line, intermediate band along dorso-lateral part of flank, continuing anteriorly along the oculo-scapular groove (above dorsal margin of opercle and preopercle), and upper band fainter, running along bases of dorsal fins and continuing forward on nape; faint longitudinal bands running from posterior border of eye to toward mid- and upper part of preoperculum, meeting dark spot on mid part of operculum, and fainter spot on upper part of operculum; dark suborbital band from corner of mouth to midway along cheek, level with posterior part of iris; lower jaw with pale spots; broad dark spot on upper margin of pectoral-fin base, posterior to upper corner of operculum; upper and lower margins of pectoral-fin bases with narrow longitudinal bands; dorsal fins each with a narrow, dark longitudinal band at base; 2nd dorsal fin speckled on mid and dorsal parts of fin, but with a pale distal margin; anal fin dark on distal parts, but with a pale margin; pelvic fins dark; caudal fin with dorsal and ventral areas dark and a short oblique line on upper part of base (Ref. 57403, 79590).