This species of the subgenus Trochocopus is distinguished by the following characters: pectoral-fin rays ii,15; lateral-line scales 42 + 2; scales above lateral line 4.5, scales below lateral line 13; predorsal scales 11; total gill rakers 12; shallow body its depth 25.0% SL; eye of moderate size with orbital diameter 7.0% SL; interorbital space narrow, 6.4% SL; caudal peduncle shallow, 13.2% SL; short posterior lobes on dorsal (11.1% SL) and anal (10.0% SL) fins; pectoral fin short, 18.0% SL; pelvic fin of moderate length, 16.1% SL, its tip reaching midway between fin origin and anus; posterior corner of mouth below anterior extent of orbit; upper jaw with length of first prominent anterior canine about equal length of second; dental ridge is smooth with regular series of granular teeth, single prominent canine at posterior end of jaw; lower jaw with first prominent anterior canine about half length of second; dental ridge with about 10 small erect canines increasing slightly in length from front to back, followed by about 8 shorter teeth; no vomerine teeth; pelvic fin short, tip reaching just beyond anus; body with 3 broad, red, lengthwise stripes separated by lemon-yellow or white stripes with lowermost red stripe not continuing anteriorly onto head, prominent black spot on middle red stripe on operculum behind eye and black pigmentation on membranes between first 3 or 4 dorsal-fin spines; juveniles have a prominent black spot at posterior end of middle red stripe on scaly caudal-fin base, which turns red in initial-phase adults and becomes more prominent in terminal-phase adults (Ref. 82450).