This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: pectoral-fin rays 12; gill rakers 4 + 7-8, including rudiments; snout profile rounded, maximum circumference 49.8-63.5 % of SL; interorbital width 7.7-9.2 % of SL; caudal-peduncle depth 13.8-15.3 % of SL. Body colouration: with a blackish blotch below anterior portion of lateral-line anterior series; a large deep green smudge anterodorsally on body from nape to middle of dorsal-fin base in living or fresh adults; a dark-green blotch on basal membrane between first and second dorsal-fin spines; posterior margin of caudal fin is white, with a black or dark red area just before white posterior margin on caudal fin; poorly defined blackish blotches on the inner posterior surface of opercle in preserved specimens (Ref. 116606).