D V,20-21 (rarely 20); A I,17; 14-16 (rarely 14 or 16) pectoral rays; 48-59 lateral-line scales; 3-4 + 6-8 gill rakers; 5-6 predorsal scales; ctenoid scales on cheek; front of lower jaw with 10 canine teeth; vomerine teeth in a broad chevron pattern; with palatine teeth; upper edge of subopercle with a prominent sharp spine; posterior edge of preopercle sometimes slightly irregular or partially finally serrate; body depth 4.35-4.9 in SL (20.5-23.0% SL); middle dorsal spine longest, 9.5-10.6% SL; membrane from last dorsal spine joined to base of first soft ray; slightly rounded caudal fin, 22.9-24.0% SL; color pattern essentially similar to Parapercis cylindrica except that the caudal fin is not yellow (Ref. 57562).