This species is distinguished from its congeners by having the following characters: 8-9 scales in the predorsal midline, 2-3 scales on the opercle, an elongate second dorsal spine reaching posteriorly to the bases of rays 1-4 of the second dorsal fin, middle pectoral fin rays branched, fifth pelvic fin ray branched once, a dark basal stripe in the dorsal fins, scale pockets indistinctly outlined with darker pigment, and, in life, two red to orange bars across the cheek and three diffuse yellow stripes on the body (most obvious along the caudal peduncle) (Ref. 87358); characterized further by longitudinal scale series 23; cheek without scales; moderately developed U-shaped interorbital furrow; depth of body about 3.6-4.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).