Distinguished by the following characteristics: robustly built with second dorsal and anal rays always I, 6; pectoral rays 16-19; longitudinal scales 22-24; TRB 7-9; predorsal scales 6-8, large, reaching close up to behind eyes; preopercular pores absent, posterior portion of oculoscapular canal absent; scales on body mostly ctenoid; third spine of dorsal fin usually longest, but not elongate; head and body pale with margins of scales outlined in brown, row of brown midlateral blotches, three diagonal dark streaks on head and vertically barred caudal fin (Ref. 80545).