This species is characterized by the following: D XII, 9-11 (usually 10); A III,5; pelvic-fin rays I,5; pectoral-fin rays 18 on each side of body (asymmetrically 17 and 18 in one specimen); Longitudinal scale series 32-37; pored lateral-line scales 23-25 (usually 25); scale rows above lateral line 4-5 (usually 5) and below 10; scale rows between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 4-5 (usually 5); 6 scale rows between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line; 6-8 predorsal scales; gill rakers on upper limb 5-7, lower limb 12-13, total 17-20 (usually 18); 26 vertebrae (based on MNHN 2003-291); head length 45.9-48.6% of SL; orbit diameter 12.0-17.1% of SL (value significantly decreasing with growth); interorbital width at middle of eye 4.4-5.8% of SL; lateral lacrimal spine absent; anterior lacrimal spine rounded, not spinous shape; posterior lacrimal spine triangular; suborbital spines 4-8; preopercular spines 5, with an additional spine on uppermost spine; preocular, supraocular, postocular, and tympanic spines are well developed; interorbital ridges joined posteriorly to tympanic spine bases; no parietal spine; the large and well developed nuchal spine originating from posterior end of tympanic spine; absence of interorbital, coronal and pretympanic spines; occiput nearly flat, without pit; sphenotic spines 2-13; parietal, lower posttemporal and supracleithral spines well developed; no upper posttemporal spine, but a small spine occurring between nuchal and lower posttemporal spines; posterior margin of maxilla just short of or reaching a vertical through posterior margin of orbit; with teeth on vormer and palatines; pectoral fin bilobed; usually a large black blotch on dorsal fin basally between fifth-seventh and tenth spines (lacking the blotch in some specimens); body is strongly mottled, especially dorsally (Ref. 86966).