Diagnosis: head length 37.9-39.8 %SL; body depth 34.9-37.7 %SL; snout length 30.8-35.3 % head length; lower jaw length 42.6-46.0 % head length; premaxillary pedicel length 29.4-34.0 % head length; cheek depth 19.7-23.4 % head length; lachrymal length 19.7-22.7 % head length; predorsal distance 39.7-41.8 %SL; 16-19 gill-rakers on lower limb of first arch (Ref. 55898).

Description: large species; ventral body profile less convex than dorsal body profile; snout long and pointed; mouth large; gape inclined about 10° to horizontal; maxilla extending well beyond vertical at anterior margin of eye; upper jaw notched; outer oral teeth very small and mainly tricuspid, some bicuspid teeth present; inner oral teeth tricuspid; inner tooth rows close-set; 2-3 series of scales on cheek; eye large; upper margin of eye touching dorsal head profile; lower pharyngeal bone slender; all lower pharyngeal teeth small and densely packed; gill-rakers on lower limb long and slender (Ref. 55898).

Coloration: Preserved: Females and immature males: body brownish yellow; 6 vertical bars below dorsal fin; snout, nape and dorsum dark brownish; fins pale brownish yellow; dorsal fin with darker lappets and tips; grey spots on soft dorsal (Ref. 55898). Mature males: snout darker; dark brown chin and belly; dorsal fin with faint grey band at base, white submarginal band and black tips; large dark spots on soft dorsal, some merged into oblique bands; anal fin dark; dark edge to caudal fin; dark leading edge to ventral fin (Ref. 55898).