This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI-I,10, dorsal fin without elongate spines, longest spine 1.9-2.8 in HL; A I,8-9 (usually 9); pectoral-fin rays 15-16 (usually 16); lateral scales 35-37; body scales are weakly ctenoid, except cycloid anteriorly, including side of nape, abdomen, pectoral-fin base, and prepelvic area; gill rakers 2-3+11-12; gill opening extending slightly forward of level of posterior margin of preopercle; caudal fin rounded, about equal to HL, 3.2 in SL; reduced pattern of cephalic sensory-canal pores consisting of only B’, D, E, F, and H pores. Colouration: body mostly whitish with five widely spaced brown bars, and first dorsal fin mainly whitish with a prominent posterior white-edged black spot. This is apparently small size species, with mature females < 20 mm SL (Ref. 120714).