The fish possesses a small mouth, with the maxilla reaching to the posterior nostril or eye, and features villiform (brush-like) teeth on the jaws. Notably, there are two pores and a median pit on the chin. The dorsal fin consists of 12 spines and 14–16 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8–9 soft rays. There are 8–9 scale rows between the lateral line and the origin of the dorsal fin, and the soft portions of the dorsal and anal fins exhibit a row of interradial scales.In terms of coloration, the body is purplish brown above and paler below, displaying approximately six longitudinal dark stripes. These stripes are typically bifurcate anteriorly and tend to become progressively more bifurcate or double with age.