The species features XII dorsal rays, 10 anal rays, 15 pectoral rays, and 49-53 lateral line scales. Its body is deep and compressed (1.9-2.0 times standard length), with a steep anterio-dorsal head profile, a slight bump before the eye (more pronounced in large adult males), and a moderate-sized eye. The mouth is slightly oblique, with canine and molariform teeth, and scales on the head form a triangular extension between the eyes. The first anal spine is shorter than the 2nd and subequal to the 3rd, and the caudal fin is weakly forked.