This species is distinguished by the following characters: head length (2.8) 2.9-3.1 times in SL; maximum body height 27.8-33.3% SL, usually more than 29%; preanal length 39.8-48.0% SL (usuially less than 45%); anal fin with 30-33 (usually 32-33) rays; developed gill rakers on first arch 27-30, the longest gill rakers 11.9-15.1% of head length; denticles on ventral branches of praeoperculum somewhat weaker than in two other species; 5 (very rarely 4) axonosts of anal fin before first hemapophysis; edges of pectoral fins distinctly blackish (Ref. 122568).