This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: large, white spots dorsally on the head and body, its brown background colour speckled white by the underlying scales and a distinct, brown lateral line; dorsal fin with 3 ocelli; head and body without black markings; anal fin with a black band; pelvic fins inserted below end of upper jaw; prepelvic length 13.0-14.0% SL; scales between origin of dorsal fin and lateral line 14-15; anterior gill arch with 10-12 long rakers; pseudobranchial filaments 32-35; pectoral-fin rays 23-24 (Ref. 98314).