The species is distinguished by the following characters: lower margin of praeoperculum spinulated, posterior margin of the praeoperculum usually unspinulated or in a small number of fish there can be one spinule on it; insertion of ventral fins in front of the vertical of the posterior margin of the pectoral fin insertion; upper jaw not reaching the vertical of the posterior margin of the eye; D II-III,10-11; A I,8-9; first branchial arch 21-24 rakers; vertebrae 28-30; pyloric caeca 4-5 (Ref. 84090).