This species is distinguished by the following characters: posterior margin of upper jaw canted posteroventrally; the lachrymal and expanded part of the maxilla densely covered with scales; a well-defined opercular spot, nearly solid black and approximately the diameter of the pupil; caudal vertebra 14; gill rakers, upper 10-15, lower 24-28, total 35-43; lateral line with 37-48 scales in the curved portion and 24-35 posterior scutes; never developing a yellow mid-lateral body stripe; second dorsal and anal fins transparent or dusky green, no yellow

pigmentation. (Ref. 76781).