This species is distinguished by the following characters: no fraenum; a high pectoral fin count of 18-19; pelvic ray subequal o the fourth; position of the head bars with postocular bar joining the opercular bar at a level with the eye; scale pockets strongly outlined with melanophores and brown chromatophores (Ref. 9018); characterized further by yellowish brown body with darker brown scale edges; body with six narrow whitish bars; longitudinal scale series 23-26; head and nape without scales; ctenoid body scales except cycloid on abdomen; bony interorbital space half pupil diameter; cheek with single vertical row of papillae; depth of body 4.7 in SL (Ref. 90102).