This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: distinct pair of (probably) free spines on frontal plate above and behind eyes; strong ethmoidal spine located in front of eyes; with scales on sides of body but not on predorsal; some specimens possess ventral arm of opercle terminating in a short spine; opercular spine free, with one prong; with 2 posterior infraorbital pores, 1 supraorbital pore at upper angle of gill opening and 1 posterior mandibular behind maxillary; anterior gill arch with 3 long rakers about half length of longest filaments; pectoral peduncle is elongated; with several tooth rows on palatines; vertebrae, precauda 12-13, total 53-55; fin D 83-85, A 53-56, pectoral 17-18 (Ref. 93007).