This species is distinguished from all its congeners by the following characters: scale rows between fifth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 3.5; front edge of dorsal scaly area on head slightly convex, with small scales (fewer than 20) anteriorly; pored lateral-line scales 42-44; second anal-fin spine (2AS) longer than third anal-fin spine (3AS), 2AS/3AS ratio 1.23-1.50 (mean 1.36); strongly curved concavity on ventral edge of first two infraorbitals above rear end of maxilla, particularly obvious in specimens more than 13 cm SL; scales on preopercle flange absent; anal-fin membrane dark; molariform teeth strongly developed along both jaws, teeth rows strongly curved laterally at rear of lower jaw (Ref. 83673).