This species is distinguished from other species of the subgenus J. (Johnieops) by lacking an enlarged outer row teeth on the upper jaw; unique body color pattern of a grayish dorsal part divided by a distinct line from the whitish ventral one third; with a black dot on uppermost axilla of pectoral fin (vs. absent in other congeners except J. carouna); second anal-fin spine less than 30% of head length (vs. 35% in J. carouna); with cavernous but firm head and firmly attached scales (vs. head strongly cavernous and soft, and the scales on the body fall off easily in J. trewavasae, also with very short, tubercle-like gill rakers and a thicker second anal-fin spine); produces a sound that is unique amongst sciaenids in the coastal waters of Taiwan (Ref. 121822).