This species is distinguished by the following characters: third dorsal spine longest, segmented dorsal and anal rays usually 10 (sometimes 9), pectoral rays 16-18 (rarely 16); branched caudal-fin rays 12-13 (usually 12); lateral scales 24-26 (rarely 24); transverse scales 7; predorsal scales 6-8 (usually 7); ctenoid scales covering body and nape, except cycloid on prepelvic area, pectoral-fin base, and most of cheek; head is completely scaled, ctenoid scales on opercle and posterior cheek; 'mixed' pattern of cephalic sensory papillae including two primary longitudinal rows and several transverse rows. Colouration: in life it is generally tan to whitish ventrally with 5-6 diffuse brown saddles dorsally on head and body, five large rectangular, dark-brown spots midlaterally on side of body, and numerous smaller dark-brown and white spots on dorsal half of the head and body (Ref. 125639).