This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI,9; A III,39; pectoral-fin rays 18-19; lateral-line scales 55; gill rakers 9 + 22; body depth 2.05 in SL; head length (HL) 3.3 in SL; dorsal profile of head is straight above eye, convex on nape; large eye with orbit diameter 7.6 in SL; caudal fin is slightly forked, fin length 4.15 in SL; pectoral fins 3.65 in SL; origin of pelvic fins is below the middle of pectoral-fin base, with prepelvic length 2.55 in HL; short pelvic fins, 1.9 in HL; preserved color (alcohol) dull orange dorsally, brassy yellow on side and ventrally; fins orangish yellow, with distal third of dorsal fin having an oval black spot; absence of the dark pigment at base or axil of pectoral fins; iris mainly yellowish; when fresh it is silvery white, each scale with a vertically elongate copper-brown spot; dorsal fin with pale orangish gray membranes and orangish rays, and a little darker at margin of fins; anal fin orangish, grading to whitish distally; caudal fin pinkish orange with a faint dusky posterior margin; pectoral fins are light pinkish brown with a curving brown band at base; pelvic fins are whitish; iris a mixture of dark yellowish brown and red (Ref. 95583).