This species is distinguished by the following characters: Color light reddish-brown dorsally with 8 faint, U-shaped brown bars with dark brown dots on about dorsal fourth of body, the upper ends of each U ending in a dark brown spot at base of a dorsal ray; from below eye across cheek is a narrow orange bar curving ventrally; spinous part of dorsal fin, pelvic fins, and basal half of caudal fin white; D V,21; A I,17; 17 pectoral rays; 54 lateral line scales; gill rakers 5 + 11; projecting lower jaw; canine teeth 3 pairs anteriorly in jaw; palatine teeth absent; vomerine teeth stout, one row; ctenoid scales on body, becoming cycloid ventrally on abdomen and prepectoral area; cheek scales cycloid, small and progressively smaller ventrally, the most ventral nonimbricate and partially embedded; preopercle margin with no distinct sharp serrae; greatest body depth 4.45 in SL; head length (HL) 3.1 in SL; orbit diameter 4.2 in HL; fourth dorsal spine is the longest, 3.95 in HL; caudal fin truncate, slightly rounded on ventral half; pectoral fins 5.25 in SL; pelvic fins just reaching anus, 5.1 in SL (Ref. 79876).