This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI + I,13-14; A I,13-14; caudal fin moderately lanceolate, in adults slightly longer than head length; longitudinal scales 56-60; transverse scales 15-17; body scales are entirely cycloid; scaleless on head except side of nape with 14-18 rows of cycloid scales; color when alive grayish with two dark reddish-brown stripes on head and body; the upper stripe across snout, through mid-eye, ending below middle of soft dorsal fin, while the lower stripe from rear maxilla to middle base of caudal fin with portion on opercle containing a prominent oval dark-brown spot (usually larger than pupil) and stripe ending in a prominent triangular dark brown spot on caudal-fin base; small brown saddles along the back and across predorsal region; small (slightly less than pupil size) ocellus on the upper rays of caudal fin (Ref. 114936).