This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: predorsal scales 8; first dorsal fin without elongate and filamentous spine; unbranched pectoral-fin rays; height of basal membrane between innermost pelvic-fin rays about 23% of length of fifth ray; shallow to moderate interorbital groove; narrow interorbital space and bony width 18-26% of pupil diameter; when fresh and when alive, nape with 1 or 2, and body with 4 broad bright yellow bands (Ref. 91085).