This species is distingushed by the following set of characters: differs from C. randalli by having D XIV (vs. XV in C. randalli, the only other congener in the area, and XII-XIII or XV in most other Indo-Pacific species), dorsal-fin rays 13-14 (vs. 10), anal-fin rays II,12 (versus II,10-11), pectoral-fin rays 18-19 (vs. 21-22), principal caudal-fin rays 8-7; spiniform procurrent caudal-fin rays 2; tubed lateral line scales 18 (vs. 21-22); posterior, mid-lateral scales with pore or deep pit 8-9; vertebrae 11 + 15; gill rakers 9-10 + 21-23; total gill rakers 30-32 (vs. 33-37); body moderately deep, depth 1.8-2.0 in SL (vs. 2.3-3.0). Colouration: tail and caudal peduncle yellow; the distal edge of caudal peduncle at junction of posterior dorsal fin with a large white spot, its diameter about width of orbit (Ref. 123146).