This species is distinguished by the following characters: D IX,12; A III,12; pectoral-fin rays 13; lateral-line pored scales 26 (+1 on caudal-fin base); suborbital pores 6; gill rakers 14-16; a pair of large, projecting, and slightly recurved canine teeth anteriorly in each jaw, the lowers curving forward, fitting between uppers when mouth closed, a second pair of canines about half size of first, followed by rows of mostly caniniform teeth, no canine posteriorly at corner of mouth; body elongate, depth 3.6-4.2 in SL. width 2.2-3.0 in depth; caudal fin slightly rounded. Colouration: TP vermilion on head to orangish-brown on body, yellow-cream ventrally with a dark cross-hatch pattern outlining scales, opercular flap diffusely dark and purple; a prominent large black blotch covering rear caudal peduncle and proximal half of caudal fin, a pale patch over mid-abdominal area underlying pectoral fin; a small black spot on first dorsal-fin membrane; IP and juvenile fish grey ventrally becoming yellowish posteriorly with a broad midlateral red band from snout to caudal peduncle, often breaking up into horizontal block segments, including a distinct black crescent or oval spot on expanded soft flap of upper operculum, and ending in a horizontal oblong black spot at caudal-fin base; a similar narrower band runs along upper body below base of dorsal fin from snout to upper caudal peduncle; fins clear except for a large oblong black spot, edged in yellow dorsally, centered over membranes of last dorsal-fin spine and first three rays and extending partially onto upper body (present in both juvenile and IP adults) (Ref. 131162).