Diagnosis: body height less than head length (Ref. 3022), the latter 5.5-6 times in total length (Ref. 1878, 3022). Eye lateral, well visible from below (Ref. 1878), its diameter 3-3.66 times in head length (Ref. 1878, 3022). Dorsal fin origin behind pelvic fins (Ref. 1878, 3022). In males, snout with spine-like tubercles (Ref. 1878, 83772). Ventral profile of lower jaw slightly ventrally curved, except in the middle where it is more or less dorsally curved; more than 100 scales on lateral line; blackish grey band from the back of the head to the caudal fin (Ref. 83772). Lateral line origin curving dorsally above opercular organ, the latter not overlying the anterior lateral line (Ref. 88971). Black spot at base of pelvic and pectoral fins; 2 black spots at base of anal fin (Ref. 3022, 83772). Blackish brown spots just above and below lateral line (Ref. 83772).

Description: mouth with sharp edges, but without lips; scales small and fragile, cycloid; upper half of caudal fin slightly longer than lower half (Ref. 83772). Caudal fin lobes either with rounded tips (Ref. 83772) or pointed (Ref. 1878). Caudal fin base scaled (Ref. 83772).

Coloration: yellowish (Ref. 1878) to dark brown (Ref. 1878, 83772) above, whitish (Ref. 1878) to brownish-yellow (Ref. 83772) below lateral line and on ventral surface. Either a greyish lateral band from back of the head to caudal fin, usually above the lateral line but on the lateral line at the level of the pectoral fins and on the caudal peduncle (Ref. 83772), or a lateral series of black dots (Ref. 1878). Lateral band (if present) widens to form a spot before the caudal fin; blackish brown spots present above and below the lateral line (Ref. 1878). A blackish spot at the base of the pelvic and (Ref. 1878, 83372) and pectoral fins (Ref. 83772), 2 such spots at the anal fin base (Ref. 1878, 83772), and several on the margins of the caudal fin (Ref. 83772).

Remark: the description given by Ref. 1878 is based on two halfgrown specimens.