Characterized by pale grey color grading to white ventrally; presence of blue-edged red to pink band from occiput to cheek; side of body with variable-sized brown spots on side of body and on dorsal and caudal fins; some larger spots (on shoulder region and first dorsal fin) surrounded by small blue-white spots; upper half of side of body and along base of second dorsal fin with scattered small blue-white spots; hard and pungent first dorsal spine of first dorsal fin, fifth spine forming short filaments; lanceolate caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 29-32; all scales cycloid; predorsal scales absent; depth of body 6.8-7.8 in SL (Ref. 90102).