Diagnosis: 15-16 gill-rakers along lower limb of first arch; 36-38 lateral line scales (count started on upper line and continued on lower line, including the intermediate scales); an extremely robust lower pharyngeal jaw with mill-like molariform teeth occupying 2/3 of dentigerous surface (Ref. 52346).

Description: relatively slender; front of head slightly convex over eyes (Ref. 52307). Predorsal profile frequently interrupted by a slight thickening in interorbital region; deepest body depth along back lies well behind dorsal fin origin, often as far back as 7th-8th dorsal spine; lower jaw slightly inclined forming an angle of about 10 with horizontal when mouth is closed; lower pharyngeal jaw a robust and compact element with a heavily molariform dentition; lips well-developed but not notably thick or fleshy; gill rakers on lower limb of first branch short, stout and slightly crenate, epibranchial rakers on upper limb of first arch relative elongate; upper lateral line ends a little in front of end of soft dorsal, usually below 4th-5th ray from free end of fin; terminal canal bearing scales descends a row and continues for 1-2 scales; dorsal and ventral lateral line branches on caudal fin terminate somewhat short of fin periphery while median branch is shorter, usually extending only one half of fin length; dorsal fin spines increase gradually to 5th-6th and are then more or less equal in length; anal fin rounded; pectoral fins relatively short but extending in large individuals to level of spinous anal fin; first branched pelvic ray filamentous and slightly produced; caudal fin emarginate and finely scaled almost to periphery (Ref. 52346).

Coloration: Preserved specimens: uniform light or dark brown, with a well-defined nape band and traces of 5-6 elongate vertical bands that reach down to well below midline; smoky brown dorsal fin spotted by numerous rows of small whitish maculae; no traces of anal fin maculae on any of the larger specimens (Ref. 52346).