This species is distinguished by the following characters: Dorsal rays 9-11 (modally 9 in the Red Sea); anal rays 8-10 (modally 9); pectoral rays 15-17 (rarely 15); gill rakers 9-10; body depth between origins of dorsal and anal fins 3.15-3.6 in SL; head length (HL) 2.2-2.5 in SL; interorbital width 4.25-4.85 in HL: gill opening length 5.4-6.5 in HL; origin of anal fin below of posterior to rear base of dorsal fin, the preanal length 1.25-1.35 in SL; longest dorsal ray 2.6-2.95 in HL; preserved colour pale grey to pale tan with 3 oblique, saddle-like, brown bars on body, not extending below level of upper end of gill opening a broad dark brown band across posterior interorbital and anterior occiput; head and body dark brown dots and short lines, including ones radiating from eye and margins of brown saddles (also within saddles on Red Sea specimens); dark lines on snout behind mouth vertical; below base of pectoral fin, a dark brown spot; a midventral brown line on head and abdomen; fins pale yellowish; live color with dark dots and lines are bright blue, the caudal fin is conspicuously marked with longitudinal blue lines or rows of small blue spots and short lines, snout is often green dorsally (Ref. 83660).