This relatively slender bodied species is distinguished by the following characters: upper body with 6 transverse bars; numerous small pores with canals forming about 9-10 vertical rows on the cheek, opercle and subopercle; scales on nape extending anteriorly to the level of posterior margin of eyes; a large spine on posteroventral corner of subopercle; interorbital space very narrow (1.6% SL); D IV,23 and with each spine progressively longer posteriorly, the last spine entirely connected by membrane to first dorsal-fin ray; A I,19; pectoral-fin rays 18 or 19; lower jaw with four pairs of canine teeth anteriorly; palatine with teeth in two rows; vomerine teeth stout and in two rows; ctenoid scales on sides, belly and prepectoral region, becoming cycloid on nape and prepelvic areas; margin of preopercle is smooth with some small indentations on posterior margin; pelvic fin when appressed not reaching origin of anal fin (Ref. 93085).