Diagnosis: a faint vertically-elongated brown humeral blotch; posterior margin of most spines of 1st dorsal fin proximally black in colour; absence of predorsal scales; 14−16 dorsal- and anal-fin branched rays; a black longitudinal stripe on ventral surface of caudal peduncle; 17−18 gill rakers on 1st gill arch; 4−9 large serrae on preopercular ridge; and 11 pectoral-fin rays (Ref. 114675).

Description: body laterally compressed; dorsal profile slightly arched from tip of snout to occiput, rising steeply up to 1st dorsal-fin origin, sloping ventrad towards caudal-fin base; ventral profile convex up to posterior end of anal-fin base, then sloping dorsad towards caudal-fin base; eye large, its margin free; gill membranes free from isthmus; 6 branchiostegal rays; 1st branchial arch with 17−18 gill rakers; nasal spine present; preorbital ridge with 3−4 (12) retrose spine-like serrae, partly hidden beneath skin; preorbital edge with 4−8 (12) distinct, exposed serrae projecting ventrally; suborbital ridge not serrated; supraorbital ridge with 3−6 (12) retrorse serrae, partly subdermal; preopercular ridge with 4–9 (12) large serrae; lower edge of preoperculum with 7–14 (12) serrae, posteriormost ones largest; hind margin of preopercular with 10–18 (12) minute denticulations; interoperculum smooth or with 2−7 weakly developed serrae; body covered by scales, except in predorsal region; head naked, except 3−4 (12) scale rows on cheek; lateral line scales 49−53 + 2−3 (12); 6 (12) rows of scales between lateral line and base of last dorsal-fin spine; ½4/1/4½ (12) scale rows across caudal peduncle; 1st dorsal fin with 7 spines, 2nd one longest; 2nd dorsal fin continuous with 1st, with 1 spine and 14−16 (12) branched rays; anal fin with 3 spines, 3rd one longest, and 14−16 (12) branched rays; caudal fin with 1 simple, 8+7 (12) branched rays and 1 simple rays (Ref. 114675).

Coloration: In 10% formalin: head and body background creamish; a faint blackish axial streak on body, darker posteriorly; a small brown dot on each scale on dorsolateral surface of body; a vertically-elongate brown humeral blotch, more or less continuing immediately anterior to 1st dorsal-fin origin; proximal posterior margin of most spines of the 1st dorsal fin blackish; 2nd dorsal fin with scattered melanophores on interradial membrane and bases; pectoral and pelvic fins hyaline; anal fin with scattered melanophores on interradial membrane; ventral surface of caudal peduncle with a black longitudinal stripe; caudal fin with scattered melanophores on rays and base (Ref. 114675).