ABSTRACT
Body oblong, robust, depth less than head length and contained 2.6–3.0 times in standard length. Head length 2.5–2.6 times in standard length; snout distinctly longer than eye diameter; nostrils set in a shallow groove running forward from eye, the posterior nostrils about twice size of anterior nostrils; supramaxilla well developed; a pair of canines at front of both jaws; lower jaw with 2 rows of teeth, but no enlarged canines at midside of jaw. Gill rakers 8 or 9 on upper limb, 16 or 17 on lower limb. Dorsal fin with 8 spines and 11 rays, the 3rd to 8th spines subequal; anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays; dorsal- and anal-fin spines strong, the anal spines quite distinct; pectoral fins short and rounded, with 14 or 15 rays, the middle rays longest, subequal to pelvic fins, pectoral-fin length contained 2.2–2.4 times in head length. Body scales small, distinctly ctenoid, even on belly; no auxiliary scales; lateral-line scales 70–78; lateral-scale series 115–133.
