This species is distinguished by the following characters: first dorsal fin enlarged and sail-like, no filamentous rays; dorsal fin bases are confluent; segmented dorsal-fin and anal-fin rays 10; pectoral-fin rays 15-17; caudal fin ovate, longer than head length, 2.5-3.0 in SL; gill opening extending forward to the level of middle of opercle; anterior nostril is sheathed in elongate, partially enclosed tube; scales are entirely cycloid, lateral scales 66-72, transverse scales 19-21; cephalic sensory-canal system including pores B’, C, D, E, F, G, M’, and O’. Body colour overall is brown with 10 or 11 poorly contrasted, darker-brown bars on lateral body; a dense patch of small white spots on dorsal surface of head; first dorsal fin orange or blue-grey with a mosaic of irregular, dark brown markings, while second dorsal fin is yellowish to brown with blue bands or rows of dark brown spots; anal, caudal, and pelvic fins dark brown with blue streaks (Ref. 121269).