This species is distinguished by the following characters: head scales reaching to or just in front of anterior nostrils; lateral line scales 43-47 (usually 45-46); pectoral fin rays 16-18 (usually 17); snout length less than eye diameter; greatest body depth 2.5-3.0 in SL. Colour dark grey on head and back with diagonal black-edged white band separating dark area from the rest of the mainly whitish body; white blotch below posterior dorsal fin; 3 yellow stripes on upper head; juveniles with alternating black and yellow stripes on the upper half and whitish below, Batesian mimic of the poison-fanged blenny Meiacanthus grammistes (Ref. 90102).