Description: Dorsal rays III + XII -XVI (usually XIV-XV) + 9-11 (usually 11), first dorsal spine remarkably longer than succeeding two, 0-2 pterygiophore without spines; anal fin I, 18-22 (usually 20-21); pectoral rays 16-17 (usually 1+8+7); pelvic fin I,2; caudal rays 13, branched 9, procurrent 8-10 both in dorsal and ventral. Vertebrae 10+ 27-30; last pleural rib on 10th, last epipleural rib on 13-16th vertebral centrum. Lateral line continuous, pored scales 24-35 (usually 28); head scaleless, nape 1-2 rows, dorsalmost usually missing; scales ctenoid; largest (twice in size) at the area posterior to pectoral-fin base and below the lateral line. Gill rakers on first arch 8; pseudobranchial filaments 4; mandibular sensory pores 5-12 + 5-10 + 5-12 (usually 9+5+8); orbital cirrus small (sometimes minute) (Ref. 9849, 52308, 90102). Overall translucent grey with dark vertical saddles, Y-shaped bars (in females and young males, mainly dorsal) or triangular blotches (in mature males, mainly ventral). Mature males head darker on ventral side pale on upper half, bicolored pattern extends posteriorly to pectoral-fin area which has 3 pale spots vertically aligned; all other fins uniformly black. Females and young males, head with prominent blue horizontal stripe below the eye, fins transluscent or pale, dorsal and anal fins with small dark spots, pectoral fin with dark spot over bases of median rays, caudal fin pale with 3 dark stripes (Ref. 9849, 52308, 90102). Also Ref. 94457.