This species is distinguished by the following characters: with a band across head, body with six transverse bands and blade-like bar below eye; numerous small pores connected by canals forming about 9-10 vertical rows on cheek, opercle, and subopercle; scales on nape extending anteriorly to the level of posterior margin of eyes; large spine on posteroventral corner of subopercle; a very narrow interorbital space (1.7?2.0% SL); D IV, each spine progressively

longer, last spine entirely connected by membrane to first dorsal-fin ray; canine teeth 4 pairs, anteriorly in lower jaw; palatine teeth in two rows; vomerine teeth stout, in two rows (Ref. 127987).