This species (without an orbital cirrus and with a red banner) is distinguished by the following characters: TP territorial males found in holes with a black head and blackened anterior dorsal fin with a distal red band over a narrow white band and a thin white or blue margin, the red band extending posteriorly to 7th-10th spinous membrane, and forming a straight line or curved down when fully erected in displaying TP, the first dorsal-fin spine relatively short, when adpressed reaching to 5th-6th spine base, about half HL, the subsequent spines progressively slightly longer (Ref. 125603).

Dark-shaded and pale TP with a similar red-banded dorsal fin, but a wider white band, and dark membrane only on first one or two membranes; with a row of large dark spots along body just below base of spinous dorsal fin, absence of rows of dark spots along spinous-dorsal-fin membranes or along lateral midline or mid-way between lateral midline and base of dorsal fin; a large black patch around the anus; head mostly unmarked except for a pale or bluish reticulated pattern under the lower jaw; a dark or reddish oblique band across its iris; no opercular bands or lines (Ref. 125603).

IP with short first several dorsal-fin spines, the first spine reaching to base of 4th-5th spine base when adpressed, the fourth spine shortest and midfin spines longest, forming a slightly notched dorsal-fin profile, the first few membranes with dark reticulated bands or lines and a reddish edge (even in juveniles); head and body are mostly unmarked except for dark or reddish oblique band across iris, a row of reddish or dark spots along body just below the base of spinous dorsal fin, a large black patch around anus, a wide internal reddish or dark band along sides of the vertebral column, and a dark distal band along anterior of anal fin. Colouration: live colors include orange, pink and yellow; cranial pattern a simple pale band 2 and 4; no IP head spots or markings near the pectoral-fin base; the IP fish and pale TP individuals live in groups on reef (vs. no apparent grouping behavior in any congeners) (Ref. 125603).