Characterized by the following: dorsal rays VI-I,10; anal rays I,9; pectoral rays usually 16; scales in longitudinal series 49-54; predorsal scales 10-13; scales ctenoid posteriorly on upper two-thirds of side anterior to level of about fifth or sixth soft dorsal ray; cycloid on lower side, including abdomen, prepelvic region, and pectoralfin base; head naked except side of nape and predorsal region, scales extending anteriorly to level of rear margin of preopercle; body depth at pelvic-fin origin 3.8-4.3 in SL; gill opening extending forward nearly to a vertical at posterior edge of preopercle; dorsal spines progressively longer to fourth, longest 1.1-1.4 in HL; rounded caudal fin, longer than head, 2.7-3.2 in SL; pectoral fins reaching to level of second dorsal-fin origin, 3.4-4.0 in SL; pelvic fins reaching posteriorly to about anus, 3.7-4.1 in SL; colour variable, generally pale to dark brown; male with about eight narrow pale bars on body and oblique brown bandson basal portion of dorsal fins; both sexes with small blue spots scattered on cheek and operculum, and similar spots on body more or less arranged in vertical rows with 2-4 spots per row; female often whitish or pale grey dorsally on head, sometimes with several dark brown and pale grey saddles along back, and elliptical orange spots on second dorsal fin; pelvic fins of both sexes frequently pale yellowish, sometimes white (Ref. 92356).