Head large; subopercle spines 4, upper one is largest, bent upward, forked; no spines and crests on occiput; scales on the head in dorsal view stretch forward along the interorbital space to the anterior margin of the eye; in lateral view, scales drop to the level of the lower posterior margin of the eye, the suborbital support and upper preopercular spine; body scales below the base of dorsal spine in the form of a band with irregular diagonal rows, in a row along the lateral line and in a spot under the pectoral fin behind the upper margin of its base. 2 nostrils; branchiostegal membranes united and free of isthmus; well developed pseudobranch; a small opening behind the 4th gill arch (Ref. 41742).