This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D VI + I,9 (second dorsal spine 1.3-1.7 in head length); A II,8; pectoral fin rays 11-12 (rarely 13); 1½ scales between lateral line and first dorsal-fin base; gill-rakers 4-5 + 12-15, developed rakers 2 + 9-12; ceratobranchial rakers 8-9; smooth preopercle ridge; edge of posterior preopercle serrated, the angle and ventral part crenulated and membranous; anterior nostril closer to upper lip than to posterior nostril; skin flap forming dorsal edge of first supraorbital pore ending laterally with a small notch under or slightly before medial margin of anterior nostril, but not reaching base of nostril’s tube; caudal-peduncle depth 2.0-2.9 in its length (Ref. 50837).