This species is distinguished by the following characters: with an elongate supramaxilla and maxilla with flexible lamina posteriorly, widest before end and sword-shaped in adult males, extending to rear margin of opercle (2.2 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit); D XI,14; A III,14; vertebrae 10 + 18; scale rows in horizontal series about 48-52; the lateral-line terminus ending below segmented rays 6-7. Colouration: spinous dorsal fin with large ocellus between spines 3-6; the inner lining of upper jaw and adjacent membranes with a single dark stripe; unpigmented area above and below esophageal opening (Ref. 128946).