This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: scale rows between 6th dorsal-fin spine and lateral line 9-11 (usually 10); scale rows between last dorsal-fin spine and lateral line 10-12 (11); middle postorbital scale rows 3-5 (4); caudal-peduncle depth 8.8-10.9% (mean 9.9%) of SL; interorbital width at vertical midline of eye 23.3-31.2% (25.6%) of HL; maxillary depth 16.0-18.9% (16.9%) of HL; lower opercular spine length 25.6-36.2% (32.8%) of HL;; dorsal margin of interorbital space slightly raised; nasal and parietal spines present (imbedded about 12.0 cm SL or more); no supraocular spine; second lacrimal spine directed ventrally or posteroventrally (usually posteroventrally); tip of lower opercular spine beyond posterior margin of opercle (sometimes just short of margin in specimens up to ca. 8.0 cm SL); jaws with short, dense conical teeth; premaxillary teeth in 3-6 irregular rows, totaling ca. 200 teeth. Colouration: head and body base color scarlet to dull red (rarely dusky red), with smudge-like or numerous small blurred black blotches above the lateral line when fresh; caudal fin uniformly pale in preserved specimens; palate surrounded by vomerine and palatine plates and gill arches grey (oral surface uniformly pale in specimens up to ca. 8.0 cm SL (Ref. 123746).