This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: 3.5 scale rows between fifth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line; ventral edge of first two infraorbitals above rear end of maxilla straight in fish less than ca 30 cm SL, but a moderate concavity of the ventral edge of the first two infraorbitals above the posterior part of upper jaw obvious in specimens about 35 cm SL; front edge of dorsal scaly area on head slightly curved (convex) without small scales; total gill rakers 15-19, modally 17; deeper body, 45-48% SL (mean 47% SL); A III, 8-9, usually III, 8; smaller orbit diameter, 2.9-4.9 (mean 3.7) in head length/orbit diameter; second anal-fin spine (2AS) clearly longer than third anal-fin spine (3AS), 2AS/3AS 1.2-1.56 (mean 1.4); scales on preopercle flange absent; pelvic and anal fins uniformly dark black (Ref. 86288).