This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: D XIII, 10 (rarely XIII, 11); pectoral-fin rays 17-19 (modally 18); scales below lateral line 11-15 (13); body depth at anal-fin origin 26.0-32.8 (mean 30.2) % SL; head width 12.6-15.6 (14.4) % SL; postorbital length 15.4-20.0 (18.1) % SL; longest dorsal-fin spine length 42.9-51.7 (47.8) % SL; caudal-peduncle depth 9.9-11.9 (11.0) % SL; pectoral fin with 14-28 relatively large (subequal to pupil diameter) black blotches on membrane, several bands on the posterior portion of rays (not attached to membrane); several narrow to wide vertical bands laterally on body and caudal peduncle; the area of ctenoid scales on body is relatively small (usually dorsolateral region only at ca. 90 mm SL, sometimes extending below lateral line onto ventrolateral region, and on pectoral-fin base and laterally on caudal peduncle in adults greater than 80 mm SL (Ref. 101439).