This species is distinguished by the following characters: body relatively deep, its depth 2.3-2.6 times in standard length. Head length 0.8-0.9 times in body depth, 2.7-3 times in SL, dorsal profile near eye convex; snout length about 2-2.5 times in HL, measured without the lip the snout is 0.9-1.1 times in cheek height, its dorsal profile nearly straight or slightly concave, snout angle relative to upper jaw between 65° and 75°; interorbital space convex; posterior nostril a longitudinal oblong opening, closer to orbit than anterior nostril; eye situated close to dorsal profile, its length 3.3-4.1 times in HL; cheek height 2.2-2.8 times in HL; lateral teeth in jaws rounded with points or molars; outer surface of maxilla usually smooth, sometimes with a longitudinal ridge. D X,9 with the 4th or 5th dorsal-fin spine the longest, its length 2.7-3.3 times in body depth; A III,8 with the first soft ray usually the longest, its length longer than length of base of soft-rayed portion of anal fin and 1.1-1.5 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; 46-47 lateral-line scales; 5 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; 13-15 rows in lower series of scales around caudal peduncle; usually 3-8 scales in supratemporal patch; inner surface of pectoral-fin base densely covered with scales; posterior angle of operculum fully scaly. Colour of body dusky whitish, lighter below, with 5-6 orange stripes; posterior edge of opercle and preopercle bright red (the former more conspicuous); head brown or tan, sometimes a red spot on lower front edge of eye; pectoral fins orangish; pelvic and anal fins, and most of dorsal fin whitish; edge of dorsal and caudal fins reddish (Ref. 114226).