The species has a spinulated posterior

and lower margins of praeoperculum, posterior margin of the praeoperculum is usualy unspinulated or in a small number of fish there can be one spinule; insertion of ventral fins is in front of the vertical of the posterior margin of pectoral fin insertion; upper jaw in most fish does not reach the vertical of the posterior eye margin; usually 3 (seldom 2) spiny and 10–12 soft rays in dorsal fin; 8–10 soft rays in anal fin; 23–25 rakers at the first branchial arch; vertebrae 28–29; and pyloric caeca 4–6.