This species is distinguished by the following characters: moderately elongate supramaxilla and mostly rigid maxilla with only a slight flexible lamina posteriorly extending about 0.9-1.2 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; D XI,15-16; A III,15; vertebrae 10+19; gill rakers 11-12+21-23; infraorbitals are moderately robust, the second and third with large sensory canal openings, third infraorbital with large suborbital shelf; lateral-line ends below verticals between sixth to eighth segmented dorsal-fin rays; caudal vertebrae 19. Colouration: upper jaw's inner lining and adjacent membranes with a black blotch; when alive, the opercle, cheeks and upper jaw with prominent blue spots or blotches; no dark blotches on body and dorsal fin (Ref. 81517, 128653).