This moderately slender species is distinguished by the following characters: D2 I,6; A I,6; pectoral-fin rays 17-18; longitudinal scales 21-24; TRB 6-8; predorsal scales 5-6, are large and reaching up to close behind eyes; jaws enlarged in male; presence of three preopercular pores, posterior portion of oculoscapular canal present, but no canal or pores over opercle; most scales on body ctenoid; first spine of dorsal fin longest in both sexes, but greatly elongate in males; along midside of body are 5 elongate dark blotches and 5 indistinct dusky short saddles crossing dorsum, a black spot behind anus and 4 internal black blotches along midventral line, commencing at anal fin origin, a black spot on upper part of pectoral fin base; chin with blackish mental frenum (Ref. 118061).