This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: scale rows between the lateral line and middle of spinous dorsal-fin base 3 (2 full-sized plus 1 half-sized); pored lateral-line scales 42-44 (modally 44); pectoral-fin rays 16; predorsal scales 7-8 (modally 7); no scale rows from ventral side of dentary; scale rows on interorbital area extending to mid-orbit level; maxilla expanded posteriorly and covered ventrally by high skin fold; outermost row teeth of upper jaw are distinctly enlarged; side of the body with longitudinal dashed black stripe; 8-9 short white sub-triangular bars ventrally; dorsal-fin pale yellow with reddish pigment mostly restricted at the base of spines and rays (Ref. 123773).