This species has a cephalic sensory-canal pore system lacking IT and POP pores; branched pectoral-fin rays branched; dorsal/anal-fin formula 9/8; with the fifth pelvic-fin ray 70% of the fourth ray (Ref. 107299).

Description: body semi-translucent pale orange with dusky orange scale margins; head with orange spots; presence of six internal brown bars on side; distinctive double black spot separated by narrow white area behind upper edge of eye; first four dorsal spines of male, sometimes filamentous; twelfth to fifteenth pectoral rays usually branched; longitudinal scale series 23-25; ctenoid scales, absent on head, nape, breast and pectoral fin base; separated pectoral fins, connected bases by thin membrane; depth of body 3.9-4.3 in SL (Ref. 90102).