Differs from all congeners by unique color pattern consisting of 11-16 black spots along mid-side, black spots on top of head and predorsal area continuing as a row of spots to the caudal base, and a short vertical black bar at the caudal-fin base. Can be further diagnosed from similar species by the following combination of characters: absence of black suborbital bar; lateral line extending almost to caudal fin; iv, 8½ dorsal-fin rays ; iii, 5½ anal-fin rays; i, 10 pectoral-fin rays; i, 7 pelvic-fin rays; and caudal fin with 9 branched rays in upper half, 8 branched rays in lower half (Ref. 93042).