This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: pectoral-fin rays 16-18 (mode 17), middle rays branched in young and adults; pored lateral-line scales 8-18 (mode 12), with last pored scale situated from below base of seventh spine to below base of fourth dorsal-fin soft rays; scale rows in longitudinal series 50-52; gill rakers 18-21 (mode 20); no slit behind fourth gill arch; palatine teeth present; second preopercular spine always absent; nuchal and parietal spines distinct; suborbital spines in young and adults 4-6 (mode 5) and in larger adults 6-7; nape and anterior part of body strongly arched in adults of over ca. 80 mm SL; relatively long postnuchal-spine length, 5.0-9.7% (mean 7.2%) of SL; relatively short caudal fin length, 2.4-26.7% (mean 23.4%) of SL; black spots on posterior half of caudal peduncle 1-5 (mode 2); body usually uniformly whitish without distinct dark saddles in preserved specimens (Ref. 92845).