This species is distinguished by the following characters: cephalic sensory-canal pore system lacking only the IT pore (pattern 2); branched pectoral-fin rays; dorsal/anal-fin formula 9/8; the fifth pelvic-fin ray is 10-20% of fourth ray; absence of postocular spot; without dark spot on preural centrum area nor prominent dark spots on pectoral-fin base; caudal fin with strong scattered well-spaced dark spots (Ref. 107299).

Description: Colouration semi-translucent green or reddish color; large red-brown patch on operculum; abdomen with pair of large squarish dark brown patches, followed by about seven increasingly smaller internal brown spots or short bars ventrally on body; head with dark red-brown spots and short bands; longitudinal scale series 23-26; ctenoid scales, absent on head, nape, breast and pectoral fin base; separated pelvic fins, thin membrane joining bases; depth of body 4.2-5.4 in SL; male genital papillae non-fimbriate; extensive branching of 4th pelvic ray (Ref. 90102).