This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 9-10 (mode 9) spines; 20-24 (mode 21) scales below lateral line; posterior end of dorsal-fin base before the anal-fin base; body coppery-red when fresh; anterior suborbital area with dark rounded marking margined with white lines, or broad dark inverse trapezoid marking; preopercle with dark spot at posteroventral corner, dark line along posterior margin; spinous portion of dorsal fin often with longitudinal black stripe on lower half; faint longitudinal dark line along anal-fin base; pelvic-fin base lacking a distinct black spot anteriorly (Ref. 76763).