Caudal peduncle 1.2-1.4 times longer than deep, depth 8.6-9.7 %SL; anus closer to posterior extremity of pelvic-fin base than caudal-fin origin; 18-30 dark brown bars on body, their width conspicuously smaller than eye diameter, very irregularly shaped and spaced, more or less connected along lateral line to form a saw-toothed stripe; juveniles with 5-6 broad black bars on body and a large black blotch on anterior half of caudal fin; 5 large saddles on back; pelvic and pectoral fins yellow in life, with a series of dark brown marks; 2-3 irregular row of brown spots on dorsal fin, 2 irregular black bars or rows of spots on caudal fin; 15-16 branched pectoral-fin rays; 8 branched pelvic-fin rays (Ref. 36949).