Distinguished by its unique color pattern: young (2-2.5 cm SL) with 5-8 dark brown blotches, usually longitudinally elongated along lateral line and 6-8 saddles along dorsal mid-line, while adults the saddles extend downward and superficial pigments are superimposed to the former pattern, forming a marmorated pattern; large hammer-shaped suborbital flap in males (its depth about half eye diameter); and thickened first branched pectoral ray in males (Ref. 39226).