This species is distinguished by the following characters: chin with 6 pores, no median pit; gill rakers on first gill arch 9-12 + 1 + 27-32 = 36-43; D XII (rarely XI),18-20; longest dorsal-fin ray 16-25% of standard length, almost equal to length of soft dorsal-fin base in small specimens, more than 1/2 length of soft dorsal-fin base in adults; lips fleshy, moderately swollen with age; scales ctenoid (rough to touch); lateral line tubed scales about 52-59; body depth 2.4-2.5 in SL; caudal fin deeply forked with broadly rounded lobes in juveniles; only slightly forked to emarginate in adults. Colour of body with numerous dark brown spots, generally larger than pupil; pelvic fins spotted, darkening with age; juveniles brownish with large, well-defined creamy white blotches on body that include brown spots with age; colour gradually changing into a greyish background with large, deep brown spots (Ref. 47695, 90102).