This species is distinguished by the following: 2 brownish stripes on head and body in life, mid-lateral stripe extending to tip of caudal fin, with variable vertical bars from ventral edge beginning just past the pectoral fin, dorsal stripe from snout to over eye, ending about middle of second dorsal fin, but not past the second dorsal-fin base; roof of mouth and upper gill arches are dark; pectoral fin rays 15, rarely 16; well developed gill rakers17-20, rarely 16 or 21; total gill rakers and rudiments 21-23, rarely 19-20; first dorsal spines 7 (Ref. 58479).