ABSTRACT
Body deep and compressed, the depth greater than the head length and contained 2.1–2.4 times in standard length, the width 2.3–2.8 times in the depth. Head length 2.5–2.7 times in standard length; interorbital area convex; dorsal head profile steep, straight or slightly concave along the snout and distinctly convex from eye to dorsal fin; preorbital depth 6.5–9.2 times in head length; preopercle finely serrate, the lower edge fleshy; subopercle and interopercle smooth or with minute serrae; opercle with 3 flat spines, the middle one closer to the lower spine; upper edge of operculum convex; posterior nostril round or oval, not much larger than anterior one; maxilla reaches past eye; ventro-posterior corner of maxilla with a distinct bony protuberance; supramaxilla slender; small canines at front of jaws, none elsewhere; 2–4 rows of small slender teeth at side of lower jaw; palatine teeth present. Gill rakers 8–10 on upper limb, 15–17 on lower limb, the longest gill raker slightly longer than longest gill filaments. Dorsal fin with 9 spines and 17 or 18 rays, the fin origin over the opercle; dorsal-fin membranes slightly incised between the spines, the 3rd or 4th spine longest; anal fin with 3 spines and 8 or 9 rays; middle dorsal- and anal-fin rays elongate in adults, giving these fins an angular profile, with the rear margin almost vertical; pectoral fins asymmetric, with 17–19 rays, the 5th or 6th ray longest; a well-developed scaly flap of skin joining upper pectoral-fin rays to body; pelvic fins subequal to pectoral fins, reaching to or beyond anus; caudal fin truncate, with 8 branched rays and 9 procurrent rays in upper part and 7 branched rays and 8 procurrent rays in lower part. Scales on body ctenoid, with auxiliary scales; lateral-line scales 48–54; lateral-scale series 94–104.
