This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: total vertebrae 61-64; dorsal-fin rays 53-59; anal-fin rays 48-52; pectoral-fin rays 20-25, lower part of each ray completely free; principal caudal-fin rays 6, dorsalmost elongate, about 2 or 3 times length of other rays; both jaws with simple teeth; gill slit 5.9-10.0% SL, extending in front of 9th-13th pectoral-fin ray base; pectoral proximal radials 4 (all unnotched); when alive, colour of body and fins orange red; mouth, gill cavity, eye, peritoneum and stomach black; pyloric caeca yellowish-white (Ref. 120240).