Distinguished by the following characteristics: generally pale reddish brown covered with numerous dark brown spots; 5 faint oblique dark bars on body; body depth less than head length, 2.6-3.0 times in SL; head length 2.3-2.5 times in SL; shallow notch above the angle of preopercle, serrae at angle slightly enlarged; slightly convex upper edge of operculum; subequal posterior and anterior nostrils; pelvic fins shorter than pectoral fins and their origin below or behind lower end of pectoral fin base; rounded caudal fin; ctenoid midlateral-body scales, with numerous auxiliary scales (Ref. 089707).