This species is distinguished by the following characters: predorsal scales 18-19, reaching forward barely beyond above center of eye on dorsal midline of head; total gill rakers 15-17; dorsal fin with long spines, the first spine 7.8-8.1% SL, second spine 9.5-10.3% SL, and 12th spine 15.0-16.7% SL; anal fin's first spine 6.6-8.8% SL and third spine 15.1-17.7% SL; short maximum body length (longest specimen known 100 mm SL); sides of body with 4 narrow red stripes becoming yellow posteriorly and fifth stripe ventrally yellow; prominent black spot on fleshy pectoral-fin base; prominent black spot covering most of anterior end of dorsal fin between first and fourth spines (Ref. 75973).