This species is distinguished by the following characters: body moderately deep, its depth 2.3-2.6 times in standard length; dorsal profile of head convex; anterior tip of snout forming an acute angle; jaws prominent, 2 strong canines situated anteriorly in each jaw; no enlarged tooth present of rear of upper jaw. D IX,10, the spines and anterior soft rays of similar length; A III,8; pectoral fins with ii unbranched and 10 branched rays; pelvic fins long, reaching anus in small fish, well beyond in adults; centre of caudal fin rounded in adults, with the upper and lower rays forming elongate lobes giving the fin a trilobed appearance; lateral line interrupted below posterior portion of dorsal-fin base, with a total of 22-23 pored scales; scales reaching well onto bases of dorsal and anal fins; scales in front of dorsal fin extending forward to above centre of eye; cheek and opercle scaly; lower jaw without scales. Colour of the body variably pigmented from green to brown with mottled purple and red markings; 4 vertical dark bars on body that are often indistinct on large individuals; head with numerous small red spots; red lines radiating from anterior and posterior of eye; scales on sides each with a vertical, slightly curved red line; dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins yellow or green with distal red streaks; caudal fin green with a red posterior margin; juveniles with 3-4 dark spots midlaterally on sides and more prominent dark bars. This species capable of rapid colour changes (Ref. 9823).