This moderate-sized species is distinguished by the following characters: D2 I,6-7; A I,6-7; pectoral rays 14-17; segmented caudal rays 16 in 9/7 pattern; lateral scales 23-27; transverse scale count 7-8; predorsal scales 6-7; opercle has several rows of cycloid scales, cheek no scales; shoulder girdle, smooth to fleshy edge; tongue is reduced, its tip blunt; males with outer row teeth evenly spaced, compressed, with bluntly pointed tips; females with outer row teeth compressed, blunt-tipped and closely-set. Colouration: scale margins on head and body edged with brown, giving the body a net-like pattern, distinct dark brown or black elongate blotches 5-6 along mid-side of body, posteriormost at hypural crease where it extends onto the caudal fin and coalesces with broad vertical dark brown bar on fin base (Ref. 126575).