Distinguished from all other species of the genus Hypseleotris by a combination of the following characters: side of the body with distinct dark vertical bars; first and second dorsal fins banded with light and dark pigment; caudal fin plain or with several dusky bars or rows of spots; dark bar on pectoral base darkest dorsally and diffuse on ventral part of fin base; 26 vertebrae; preopercle with scales; postdorsal scale count usually 9, lateral scale count 30-34, usually 32, and predorsal scales scattered along midline of nape and/or above opercle and preopercle, not reaching eyes and often absent altogether (Ref. 76845).