Diagnosis: body depth 5.5-6.6 times in standard length (SL); head length 4.75-5.25 times in SL (Ref. 11970, 42110). Head width a little less than head depth at occipital region, 1.75-2 times in head length (HL) (Ref. 42110). Snout 3-3.4 times in HL; eye diameter 3.4-4.17 times in HL; interorbital width 2.75-3.4 times in HL; eyes lateral (Ref. 11970, 42210). Mature males with cupped outgrowth on operculum and a series of oblique laminae behind gill-opening (Ref. 11970, 42110), and without spines on head (Ref. 42110). Dorsal fin origin equidistant from tip of snout and base of caudal (Ref. 11970, 13721, 42110) or nearer mid-base of caudal than tip of snout (Ref. 7248, 52193), above (Ref. 42110) or immediately behind base of pelvic (Ref. 11970, 13721, 42110). Anal fin base equidistant from origin of pelvic and root of caudal (Ref. 42110), or a little nearer caudal (Ref. 11970, 42110). Pectoral fin length 5/6 of head length (Ref. 42110) or nearly as long as head (Ref. 11970, 42110). Pelvic fin as long as or a little shorter than pectoral (Ref. 42110). Caudal peduncle 1.9-2.1 times as long as deep (Ref. 11970, 42110). Body yellowish, with a series of dark spots, united by a narrower band, along lateral line or its posterior 2/3; a series of 3-5 round dark spots on either side of middorsal line in front of dorsal fin; sometimes a spot at origin of dorsal; fainter dark markings along back and side; upper part of head dark, lower parts of head and trunk pale; caudal fin spotted or clear, other fins clear (Ref. 42110). Dark spots at bases of pectoral, ventral and anal fins (Ref. 13721), but no dark spot at base of pelvic fins of type specimens (Ref. 7248, 52193).