ABSTRACT
Body oval (in lateral view), compressed, depth contained 2.4–2.7 times in the standard length. Head length 3.0–3.4 times in standard length; dorsal head profile distinctly convex; snout length distinctly longer than eye diameter; nostrils subequal in juveniles, the diameter of posterior nostrils twice that of anterior nostrils in a 56 cm SL adult; mouth small, oblique, a pair of short canines at front of each premaxilla. Gill rakers 8 or 9 on upper limb, 16–18 on lower limb, no rudiments, the longest raker slightly shorter than the longest filaments on 1st arch. Dorsal fin with 11 spines and 18–21 rays, the fin origin above opercle; dorsal-fin membranes not (or only slightly) incised between the spines, the 4th to 11th spines subequal; anal fin with 3 spines and 9–12 rays, the 3rd spine longest; pectoral fins asymmetrical, with 18–20 rays, the upper rays longest, their length contained 1.4–1.6 times in head length; a well-developed scaly flap of skin joining upper pectoral-fin rays to body; pelvic-fin length 1.4–1.7 times in head length; caudal fin truncate to emarginate, the corners rounded. Small ctenoid scales on head and body, no auxiliary scales; lateral-line scales 67–76; lateral-scale series 131–145.
