This species is characterized by the following: D VI + I, 27; A I, 25; pectoral rays 23 or 24; cycloid scales extremely small, about 190 near-vertical rows in longitudinal series; gill rakers 7-8 + 16-17; body depth 6.6-6.65 in SL; head length 4.65-4.7 in SL; chin has a low median fleshy ridge, narrowing posteriorly to a thin convoluted ridge; first dorsal fin about twice height of second dorsal, the second to sixth spines filamentous, doubling height of fin; fourth spine longest, 1.95-2.05 in SL; caudal fin asymmetrically rounded, the dorsal half more posterior, 5.05-5.1in SL; pelvic fins 3.95-4.1 in SL; alcohol preserved color pale gray, with dusky bands on head and a small square blackish spot dorsoposteriorly on opercle dorsal and anal fins faintly striped, the first dorsal only basally, the anal with a submarginal blackish band; caudal fin with a broad submarginal black arc over middle three-fourths of fin; body color in life is mainly white; side of head with blue and yellow (Ref. 75638).