This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D XII I- XIV,12-13 (usually XIII,12); A II,10-11 (usually II,10); pectoral-fin rays 18-20 (usually 19); spiniform caudal-fin rays 2; tubed lateral-line scales 17-19; total gill rakers on first branchial arch 30-34 (usually 31-33); body depth 2.0-2.4 (mean 2.2) in SL. Colouration: adult color in life bicolored, light to dark brown to yellowish on upper half and white on lower half, transition between two halves more or less abrupt with slightly diagonal emarcation extending from lower rear corner of eye to conspicuous small, rounded, white spot, half pupil size or less, at base of last dorsal-fin rays; caudal fin is translucent whitish to bluish with broad black bands along upper and lower margins with a narrow blue-white edge (Ref. 125611).