Distinguished by the following characteristics: uniform dark brown or grey color of adults (can rapidly change into juvenile pattern when disturbed or under stress), large adults with white pectoral fin margin and median fins with narrow white edge; juvenile with greyish brown color, with dark spots along upper half of the body; depth of body 3.1-3.4 times in SL; head length 2.5-2.7 times in SL; rounded preopercle, finely serrate, lacking distinct lobe at the angle; posterior nostrils not notably enlarged, diameter less than twice of anterior nostrils (Ref. 89707).