This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: no teeth on palatines; dorsal segmented rays usually 16-18 (rarely 20); fourth or fifth dorsal spine longest; pectoral rays 12-13, all unbranched; predorsal scales extend anteriorly only to vertical through mid-pupil; lateral line complete or interrupted, with 15-26 + 0-4 tubed scales. Colouration: a large black spot on the middle portion of dorsal fin, one near the end of the dorsal fin, one over the base of the last four anal rays, and one mid-ventrally on the abdomen in front of the anus (Ref. 123579).

Description: Characterized by alternating brown and whitish bars on body; head and body with irregular yellow to brown spots; middle of dorsal fin with large black spot; base of last dorsal and anal fin rays with pair of black spots; black anus; 1-4 serrae at upper margin of preopercle in adults; greatest depth of body 2.6-3.0 in SL; deeply notched dorsal fin between spinous and soft portions; rounded caudal fin (Ref. 90102).