This species is distinguished by the following characters: 3½ scales above lateral line to midbase of spinous portion of dorsal fin; spineless at anterior end of nasal bone of adults or subadults; no large spine at the corner of preoperculum of adults (subadults may have a small spine at angle); 28-30 lateral-line scales (usually 28, rarely 30); D XII; space between last dorsal-fin spine and first dorsal-fin ray notably less than space between last two dorsal-fin spines; pectoral-fin rays 15-17 (usually 17, rarely 15); height of second suborbital bone below center of eye ½ eye diameter; last dorsal-fin spine distinctly longer than penultimate spine; prepelvic scales 9; dorsal profile of head nearly uniformly convex; gill rakers 7-10 + 12-14; depth of body 2.05-2.2 in SL; head length 2.35-2.5 in SL; snout short, 4.65-5.6 in HL; least depth of caudal peduncle 4.0-4.5 in HL; colour when fresh overall reddish, edges of scales red, the centers silvery pink (Ref. 114923).