This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: pectoral-fin rays 14-15 (modally 15); pored lateral-line scales 43-45 (44); scale rows in longitudinal series 43-46 (45); scale rows above lateral line 4 and between lateral line and base of 6th dorsal-fin spine 4; cheek scale rows 8-9 (8); posttemporal serrae 1-3 (2); preopercular serrae 14-39 (26); interopercular serrae 4-11 (8); subopercular serrae 6-17 (12); interorbital scales reaching the mid-orbit level but not extending beyond anterior margin of orbit; scales on ventral surface of lower jaw restricted to angular, none on dentary; tip of caudal fin upper lobe elongated and slightly longer than lower lobe in specimens >ca. 10.0 cm; relatively long dorsal-fin spines, length of first spine 5.6-7.4 (mean 6.7)% of SL, second 8.6-10.9 (10.1)% of SL;

anal-fin spines and soft rays relatively short, length of first spine 3.7-5.3 (4.6)% of SL, second 5.5-6.9 (6.3)% of SL, penultimate soft ray 13.7-16.4 (14.9)% of SL, longest soft ray 13.9-16.4 (15.1)% of SL; caudal-fin length 22.9-32.9 (28.3)% of SL; relatively broad inter-opercular spine, its width 5.2-6.6 (5.8)% of SL; pelvic fin short, the tip not reaching anus when adpressed; antrorse canine teeth in upper jaw, an outer row of enlarged dorsally directed canines in lower jaw. Colouration: side of body without black bands nor blotches; an orange spot on pectoral- and caudal-fin bases (Ref. 123211).