Spotcheek emperor

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body moderately elongate, its depth 3-3.4 times in standard length; head length 1.1-1.3 times in body depth, 2.6-3 times in SL, dorsal profile near eye convex without a distinct hump; snout length 1.8-2.1 times in HL, measured without the lip the snout is 0.7-0.9 times in cheek height, its dorsal profile nearly straight or slightly concave, snout angle relative to upper jaw between 54° and 65°; interorbital space flat or slightly convex; posterior nostril a longitudinal oblong opening, closer to orbit than anterior nostril; eye situated close or slightly removed from dorsal profile, its length 3.9-4.7 times in HL; cheek height 2.4-3.3 times in HL; lateral teeth in jaws conical; outer surface of maxilla smooth or with a longitudinal ridge; D X,9 with the 3rd dorsal-fin spine the longest, its length 2.4-2.7 times in body depth; A III,8 with the first soft ray usually the longest, its length shorter than length of base of soft-rayed portion of anal fin and 1.4-1.8 times in length of entire anal-fin base; pectoral-fin rays 13; pelvic-fin membranes between rays closest to body without dense melanophores; cheek without scales; 47-49 lateral-line scales; 4 ½ scale rows between lateral line and base of middle dorsal-fin spines; 15-16 scale rows in transverse series between origin of anal fin and lateral line; usually 15 rows in lower series of scales around caudal peduncle; 7-10 scales in supratemporal patch; inner surface of pectoral-fin base without scales; posterior angle of operculum with a wide scaleless area. Colour of body olive grey or brown, with scattered irregular small black blotches; lips and a spot on upper edge of operculum usually red; fins pale or pinkish (Ref. 114226).