This species is distinguished by the following characters: predorsal fully scaled with scales entirely cycloid even above operculum; anterior nostril at end of short tube just above the upper lip; narrow suborbital, subequal to or less than pupil diameter; prepelvic area covered with large cycloid scales to below middle of operculum to posterior margin of eye. When alive, a distinct black vertical bar below eye; midsides of body with large rectangular dark spots (Ref. 118652).

Description: Colour in life: head and body light brown, the head with a dark-brown to black bar (narrower than pupil diameter) from below middle of eye to posterior end of jaws; the sides of head with scattered small bluish-white spots and larger irregularly shaped yellow patches; the body also with a series of dark-brown rectangular spots along the midside, the first below middle of first dorsal fin, the second below anterior part of second dorsal fin, the third below middle of second dorsal fin and fourth on middle of caudal peduncle; posterior end of caudal peduncle has a dark brown spot, with curved thin upward and downward projections, or with an isolated spot above and a similar spot below behind midline spot; first dorsal fin with 2 rows of small dark-brown elongate spots, the second with 3-5 oblique rows of similar spots; anal fin pale brown to whitish; caudal fin with larger spots in 4-6 wavy rows; pectoral-fin base with a prominent short white stripe, the base of fin with a small black spot dorsally, the rest of it translucent (shortly after collection, the body became more translucent and the white spots more numerous (Ref. 118652).