This species belonging to the Leiognathus splendens complex is distinguished by the following characters: cheek no scales; anterior dorsolateral body surface almost entirely scaled with a semicircular naked area on nape; lower margin of inner preopercular ridge smooth; no scales on interspace of pelvic keels; second spines of dorsal and anal fins are weak (width of second spines of dorsal and anal fins 0.72-1.1% SL and 0.60-0.95% SL, respectively); a dark blotch on spinous dorsal fin rather pale, grayish (Ref. 75583).