Diagnosis: single series of conical teeth in jaws; body depth 24.4-35.2% of standard length; dorsal fin with 17-18 spines and 9-10 soft rays (Ref. 53405).

Description: head relatively long; snout pointed; frontal profile normally slightly rounded; mouth situated in a relatively inferior position; caudal fin rounded to more rhomboid; males (and rarely females) may possess slightly elongated rays in upper lobe of caudal fin (Ref. 52307). Outer and inner jaw teeth unicuspid, pharyngeal jaw teeth bicuspid; no micro-gillrakers; scales cycloid (Ref. 53405).

Coloration: great differences in colour pattern among populations exist; body brownish, belly yellowish to reddish and rather indistinct longitudinal band extending from snout to caudal fin; throat and cheeks yellow or turquoise; dark spot on opercle; unpaired fins yellowish-red or white; dorsal fin dark- and light-spotted, its distal margin, as well as upper caudal margin, red; anal fin black-edged; pectoral fins hyaline; pelvic fins red, with outer rays dark (Ref. 53405). Females generally lighter in color than males, with a rosy belly that becomes red to violet when ripe, anterior of these rosy parts there is a blue iridescent zone (Ref. 52307).