Diagnosis: This species is distinguished by the following characters: body oblong moderately and laterally compressed, greatest body depth 2.5-3.2 times in standard length; head length 2.3-2.6 times in standard length; lower opercular spine extending well beyond the opercular flap; posttemporal bone exposed and serrate posteriorly; pectoral fin rays 13-14; gill rakers 6-8 +13-16 = 19-24; pored lateral line scales 75-100; horizontal scale rows above lateral line 13-17; caudal fin emarginate (Ref. 48274, 90102).

Description: Dorsal fin with 11-12 spines and 9-11 soft rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 7-10 soft rays; pectoral fin with 13-14 rays (Ref. 4327). Scales on lateral line 69-93 (Ref. 4327).

Colouration: Colour of body silvery white with 3-4 curved dark brown or blackish stripes from the nape to the hind part of the body, the lowermost continuing across the middle of the caudal fin; spinous part of dorsal fin with a blackish blotch dorsally on membranes between third and sixth spines; caudal fin with stripes, the lobes with dark tips (Ref. 4327, 48274, 90102).