This species is distinguished by the following characters: no fraenum; lateral line scale series 28 or more; pectoral fin rays 20 or more; nape and body with 4 broad dark bars on a light background; anterodorsal region of the caudal fin with an ocellated eye-sized dark spot (Ref. 9018); characterized further by having a pair of bands below eye; large partially ocellated black spots on both dorsal fins; ctenoid body scales to level of second dorsal spine, cycloid anteriorly, including base of pectoral fin, breast and ventrally on abdomen; head and median part of nape without scales; side of nape to above middle of opercle with small embedded scales; cheek without vertical row of papillae; depth of body 4.1 in SL (Ref. 90102).