This species is diagnosed by the following characters: TP territorial males found in holes with a black head and blackened anterior dorsal fin with a distal red band over a narrow white band and a thin white margin; first spine very long, when adpressed reaching to 8th-15th, equal or more than HL up ti 27% SL, second spine usually about 1/2-2/3 of first, third spine about 1/3-1/2 of first, the tenth spine at most 1/2 of first, anterior dorsal fin profile with a deep concavity since third and fourth spines are well shorter than subsequent spines (Ref. 125603).

Dark-shaded and pale TP with a similarly long first dorsal-fin spine and red band, sometimes several single scattered dark spots on the anterior spinous-dorsal-fin membranes, but not in a row; absence of opercular bands or lines, and of dark spots along lateral midline or above lateral midline (Ref. 125603).

IP has an elongated first two dorsal-fin spines, the first reaching to base of 6th-8th spine base when adpressed, the second slightly shorter, and the third half of first (earlier IP and juvenile with less elongate spines). Colouration: live colors include red, orange, and pink; cranial pattern with bands that are progressively breaking up and additional spots filling in: band 1 usually with two red spots; band 2 indistinct, with a few red spots and not a Y-shape; band 3 is most prominent, with thick red arms of a U breaking up into spots; band 4 thin and pale and pushed aside by red spots; band 5 with thick red segments; later pattern with red spots expanded to form a mosaic; IP head spots are dark and usually full complement; melanophores are near pectoral-fin base usually one to three spots, anterior spot often elongated obliquely (Ref. 125603).