This species is distinguished by the following characters: body crossed by a wide gray bar at midbody and a dark longitudinal stripe extending midlaterally along center of body from head to caudal-fin base; first dorsal fin triangular in shape, of moderate height, 23% SL, the anterior spines with yellow margin, not filamentous, and with yellow spots on basal membranes; second dorsal fin with large diffuse yellow spots on all membranes; the postorbital side of head with distinct narrow yellow lines; distal end of maxilla is yellow; gill membranes fused together and to isthmus at ventral midline; caudal-fin length 37% SL; dorsal-fin elements VI-I,10; anal-fin elements I,9; pectoral-fin rays 17; predorsal midline with 20 scales; scales in longitudinal series 62; gill rakers 4+13 (Ref. .118499).