This species is distinguished from its congeners in the combination of following characters: D1 VI (second and third distinctly elongated); pectoral fin rays 19-22; short pelvic disc complete with well-developed anterior membrane (frenum), pointed lateral lobes; scales on nape and predorsal area in lateral band; opercle no scales; scales in longitudinal series 24-27; supratemporal rows tr and trp developed and extending transversally between pores H and K; longitudinal row g is long, passing row m posteriorly and relatively close to row h; infraorbital row 6 is long, ventrally extending to lower margin of preopercle, its ventral (6i) and dorsal (6s) originating opposite to each other; posterior lateral row h is long, reaching anteriorly above middle of opercle; body depth 18.9-23.8% at anal-fin origin in SL, head width 48.5-56.0% in HL; long upper jaw 41.8-58.0% in HL; minimum height of caudal peduncle 45.1-59.8% in caudal peduncle length; large eyes 23.9-30.9% in HL); long caudal fin 27.9-35.5% in SL; body pale fawn and brownish with margin of scale pockets dark brown pigmented, yielding a reticulated pattern; 5 brown blotches on flanks in lateral midline from below first dorsal fin to caudal peduncle; caudal fin with 6-7 distinct dark vertical bands (Ref. 118185).