This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D XIII,10-13 (usually XIII,12); A II,9-11 (usually II,10); pectoral-fin rays 17-20 (usually 18-19); spiniform caudal-fin rays 2; tubed lateral-line scales 17-19 (rarely 17); total gill rakers on first branchial arch 29-34 (usually 31-32); body depth 2.1-2.4 (mean 2.2) in SL. Colouration: in life yellowish brown on dorsal head, nape, spinous dorsal fin, and back, grading to gray-brown on sides, with a prominent saddle-like white spot near the base of last dorsal-fin rays extending onto upper caudal peduncle; brownish bands edged with white along the upper and lower margins of caudal fin (Ref. 125611).