The fish has an elongate body with a moderately depressed head. The uppermost preopercular spine is the longest, reaching only about halfway to the opercular margin. The iris lappet is simple, and lateral line scales have a single opening to the exterior. Teeth on the vomer are in two separate patches. In terms of coloration, there are numerous small dark spots on the back reaching below the lateral line. The caudal fin typically has a broad dark marginal band or a series of dark spots, and the first dorsal fin exhibits a submarginal dark band.