Description: The body is elongated but stocky; the body depth at anus is 17-24% of standard length and the caudal peduncle depth is 10-17% of standard length; predorsal length 42-49% of standard length and preanal length 62-70% of standard length (Ref. 123271). Head 32-37% of standard length, slightly depressed, the snout is pointed; eyes high on head; the mouth is large, as jaw length is 9-14% of standard length, and oblique, the posterior margin of upper jaw reaches the vertical through the half of the eye; upper and lower jaws with multiple rows of small inwardly curved teeth, larger on outer row; a few caniniform teeth in posterior position (Ref. 123271). Dorsal fins mostly VI-I,8-9; first dorsal fin spine separate from and same height as second dorsal fin spine; spines not elongated; anal fin I,8-9 and directly opposite to second dorsal fin; pelvic fins separate, I,5; pectoral fins 15; caudal fin rounded with 15 branched rays (Ref. 123271, 127682). Cycloid scales on top of head, nape, cheek, operculum, pectoral fin base, prepelvic region, and abdomen; ctenoid scales covering flanks; no lateral line canals; 48-56 scales in lateral series, 28-37 in predorsal series, 14-16 in transverse back series, 18-24 in transverse forward series and 10-12 in zigzag series (Ref. 123271). A downward pointing spine at the posterior margin of the preoperculum is covered with skin; gill opening is moderately broad, extending to below the preoperculum; tubular anterior nares overhanging half upper lip, posterior nares open pits (Ref; 123271). Adults with five transverse suborbital free neuromast rows of which second and fourth suborbital free neuromast rows on cheek extend ventrally past horizontal row 'd' ('2.4' pattern); row 'os' not connected with row 'oi' at ventro-posterior margin of operculum ('open' pattern) (Ref. 123271). Urogenital papilla in females rounded, elongated and tapered in males (Ref. 123271).

Colouration: Colour in life of male and female similar: body marbled from light to dark brown, more beige on the back and striped and spotty on the flanks, alternating dark brown and beige; three horizontal dark brown to reddish stripes between eyes and preoperculum and three vertical white ones below the eye; first dorsal fin translucent with two large horizontal dark spotted stripes, one at fin base, one in the middle of the fin; second dorsal and anal fins with 5-6 brownish wavy spotted horizontal stripes; pelvic fins base yellowish; caudal fin brown, with two brown spots anteriorly, several brownish vertical spotted wavy rows; pectoral fins translucent (Ref. 123271). Colour in preservation of male and female similar: body marbled brown, lighter on the back and striped on the flank; three horizontal dark brown stripes between eyes and preoperculum; first dorsal fin with two large horizontal dark stripes, one at fin base, one in the middle of the fin; second dorsal and anal fins with 5-6 brownish wavy spotted horizontal stripes; caudal fin brown, with two brown spots anteriorly, several brownish vertical wavy spotted stripes; pectoral fins greyish (Ref. 123271).