Males have a taller, more heavily pigmented first dorsal fin; characterized by translucent grey body color; red-brown iris; side of body with tiny brown spots; first two membranes of first dorsal fin with black tip and large brown blotch below; pelvic fins united only at bases; absence of pelvic frenum; rounded caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 23-25; mainly ctenoid scales except cycloid on breast, base of pectoral fin and side of nape to above rear margin of preopercle; scales absent on operculum; median predorsal scales absent; opening of gill extending to level slightly anterior to posterior edge of preopercle; depth of body 4.7-5.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).