Diagnosis: moderately elongate; well-developed snout of moderate length and moderately sized scales; 67-72 scales along lateral line; caudal fin with 3 transverse bars across each lobe; dorsal fin with series of black spots forming horizontal stripes in spread fin (Ref. 81638).

Description: body depth 0.22-0.26 SL, slightly laterally compressed; jaws terminal, massive and moderately elongate; dentition outer row of each jaw well-developed with posterior cusp largest and adjoining teeth in contact; caudal fin covered with scales other than along distal portions of rays; scales on body ctenoid and of moderate size; 6-7 scales between lateral line and anal fin origin; D: III,8-10; A: III,9 (Ref. 81638).

Coloration: preserved specimens tan to light brown, darker dorsally; posterodorsal portion of body with series of irregular, vertically elongate spots that merge posteriorly into a darker mid-dorsal pigmentation; flanks with series of vertically elongate, dark bars that alternate with more dorsally positioned dark spots; dorsal fin with 3-4 series of dark spots that form somewhat horizontal stripes in spread fin; caudal fin with 3 transverse bars across each lobe; dark spot on distal portions of upper lobe and posteriorly-attenuating dark stripe on middle rays (Ref. 81638).