Distinguished by having color ranging from pale greenish grey to pale reddish yellow or pinkish; with 5-6 dark bars of variable intensity; top of head reddish brown; ctenoid scales on body except cycloid anterodorsally above lateral line and on thorax and ventrally on abdomen; body with numerous auxiliary scales; greatest body depth 2.8-3.3 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins 2.0-2.4 in head length (Ref. 90102); characterized further by having flat interorbital area, convex dorsal head profile; snout length contained 4.3-5.1 times in HL; rounded preopercle, finely serrate rear edge, with lower most serrae slightly enlarged; upper edge of operculum straight; subequal posterior and anterior nostrils; maxilla reaches to below rear third of eye or a little past eye; 2-4 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw (Ref. 89707).