(45) small spines along posterior and ventral margins; distal margin of interopercle with 10–14 (10) spines; distal
margin of subopercle with 16–21 (19) spines. Posttemporal with 5–7 spines (6 spines on left side, 7 on right) at
beginning of LL. Anterior nostrils positioned at middle of snout, each nostril with small rounded flap rising from
posterior rim; posterior nostril an elliptical opening at anterior border of orbit.
Body with ctenoid scales; lateral line slightly arched over pectoral fin then gradually descending, ending at
middle of caudal-fin base. Small cycloid scales on basal quarter of caudal and pectoral fins; no scales on dorsal,
anal or pelvic fins. Head with cycloid scales above eyes, several tiny cycloid scales posteriorly on dentaries and on
opercular membrane, subopercle and interopercle; no scales on maxilla or snout. Preopercle with mixture of
cycloid and ctenoid scales.