Distinguished by having whitish or pale grey color; head, body and fins with numerous close-set round brown spots of unequal sizes; cycloid scales except region under pectoral fins; body with numerous auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 3.0-3.5 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins, 2.2-2.7 in head length (Ref. 90102); further characterized by flat or slightly concave interorbital area, convex dorsal head profile; rounded preopercle, with shallow indentation just above angle and slightly enlarged serrae at the angle; upper edge of operculum slightly convex; subequal posterior and anterior nostrils; maxilla reaches past vertical at rear edge of eye; 2 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw (Ref. 89707).