This species is distinct from its congeners in having the following characters: second dorsal-fin rays I, 9-10 (almost always I, 9); anal-fin rays I, 9-10 (almost always I, 9); scaled cheek and pectoral-fin base; asymmetrical caudal fin, with fifth or sixth segmented ray slightly elongate and longest; head length (HL), 28.8-33.5% of SL; eye diameter 32.7-37.3% HL, 9.6-12.3% of SL; grayish body with about 7 narrow, transverse yellow bars (pale in preservation); absence of distinct black-and-white barred pattern on caudal fin (Ref. 75138).