This species is distinguished by the following characters: predorsal midline with 8-9 scales; usually cycloid scales along the upper border of the opercle in up to 3 horizontal rows; without cheek scales; second dorsal spine very elongated, reaching posteriorly to the end of the second dorsal fin or beyond this (in specimens >18 mm SL); pectoral fin with branched middle rays; fifth pelvic fin ray branches once dichotomously and is 52-64% the length of the fourth ray; basal membrane connecting the inner margins of the fifth pelvic fins rays is less than 15% the length of the fifth ray (Ref. 95906).