This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XIII-XIV,11-13 (mode XIII, 12); A II,10-12 (11); pectoral fin rays 17-21 (19); principal caudal fin rays 15; spiniform caudal fin rays 2; scale rows in longitudinal series 21-27 (26); tubed scales in lateral line 16-21 (19); scale rows above lateral line 3, below lateral line 9-10 (9); gill rakers 6-9 (7) + 20-25 (23) = 27-33 (30); smooth preopercular margin; caudal fin is deeply forked and without prolonged filaments; basal width of the pelvic fin axillary scale 1.7-2.8% of SL; basal width of scale between the pelvic fin bases is 2.2-3.9% of SL; distinct black blotch covering the upper two-thirds of pectoral fin base in juveniles and covering entire fin base in adults; absence of white spot at the end of dorsal fin base; no distinct markings on caudal peduncle; colour of caudal fin yellowish without dark band along each fin lobe (Ref. 94774).