Scales mostly spinoid type of Roberts (1993), except for series of enlarged smooth scales on gill chamber near
isthmus; enlarged sculptured scales along lateral line (Fig. 2); midventral area posterior to pelvic-fin base with
series of 13 enlarged, keeled scutes followed by 9 enlarged scales surrounding anus (Fig. 5), and many enlarged
scales along bases of dorsal and anal fins (Fig. 6A). Lateral line covered by 59 (right side) and 61 (left side)
enlarged spinoid scales; 100 (48 right, 52 left) enlarged scales along dorsal-fin base and 37 (18 right, 19 left)
enlarged scales along anal-fin base, all variable in size. Row of enlarged irregular shaped cycloid scales along outer
margin of gill chamber (Fig. 6B). Large area of slightly enlarged spinoid scales posterior to gill chamber between
lateral line and pectoral fin base, followed by numerous small spinoid scales (Fig. 2). About 30 irregular rows of
spinoid scales between dorsal-fin base and lateral line; about 40 irregular rows of spinoid scales between lateral
line and origin of anal fin; more than 260 rows of scales along body axis (all difficult to count because of irregular
distribution of scales). Head mostly scaleless, a few thick, heavily sculptured scales at anterodorsal corner of
opercle, scales coalescing on cheek to form strong bony covering (Figs. 1B–C). Gular region naked, with low,
pigmented, transverse ridges.