Body compressed; caudal peduncle depth equal to length.
Scales cycloid. A knob-like protuberance absent on dorsal surface of snout.
Upper jaw length showing no sexual dimorphism.
First gill arch with 27 to 33 gillrakers.
Lateral line interrupted. Spinous and soft ray parts of dorsal fin continuous.
Dorsal fin with 16 - 17 spines and 11 to 15 soft rays.
Anal fin with 3 spines and 10-11 rays.
Caudal fin truncated.
Colour in spawning season, pectoral, dorsal and caudal fins becoming reddish; caudal fin with numerous black bars.