This species is characterized by the following: edge of dorsal fin black, its spine is weak and serrated posteriorly with 13-17 serrae, spine length is 16.8-23.3% SL; 10 or 11 predorsal scales; incomplete lateral line having 5-11 pored scales; lateral-line scales 25-29; presence of a black longitudinal stripe covering the upper half of the 1st scale row and lower half of the 2nd scale row above lateral-line scales and a black spot extending over 19th and 20th scales of lateral line row at the level above the posterior end of the anal fin base. The intestine is long and coiled, relative gut length 2 - 2.5 TL (Ref. 58118).