Similar to the more common Cephalopholis spiloparaea but lacks banding in the caudal fin (Ref. 48635); characterized further by reddish brown color; base of pelvic fins with indistinct dark blotch; greatest body depth 2.5-2.9 in SL; rounded caudal fin; short pelvic fins, 2.3-2.5 in head length; strongly bilobed margin of front of upper lip (Ref. 90102); head length 2.1-2.3 times in SL; rounded preopercle, posterior edge finely serrate, lower edge fleshy; very convex upper edge of operculum; maxilla extends past eye; teeth large; midlateral-body scales ctenoid (Ref. 89707).