Distinguished by the following characteristics: head and body pale brownish gray, densely covered with tiny close-set dark orange-brown spots; median and paired fins spotted like body; caudal, soft dorsal and anal fins with white edge and a submarginal blackish zone; depth of body 3.2-3.6 times in SL; head length 2.4-2.6 times in SL; flat to slightly convex interorbital area, dorsal head profile with slight indentation above nostrils; preopercular angular, with enlarged serrae at the angle and a shallow notch just above the angle; upper edge of operculum straight; posterior nostril slightly larger than anterior; maxilla reaches vertical at rear edge of eye; ventral edge of maxilla with a low step-like bend one orbit diameter from rear end of bone; 2 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; lateral body scales ctenoid, with numerous auxiliary scales; pyloric caeca about 76 (Ref. 89707).