This species with well-contrasted dark lateral body stripes, is distinguished by the following set of characters: D IV-VI, I,7-9 (mode 8); A I,13-16 (mode 14); total procurrent caudal rays 11-13 (mode 12); lateral scales 30-32 (mode 31); cheek scales usually 8-9; total gill rakers on first arch 14-16; vertebrae 31-33 (mode 32); body deep with greatest depth 3.1-3.6 (mean 3.3) in SL and greatest width 1.9-2.9 (mean 2.3) in HL; maxilla is relatively short 4.0-4.7 (mean 4.3) in HL; long predorsal distance 1.9-2.1 (mean 2.1) in SL. Colouration: when alive, brown to whitish body with a series of black lateral stripes the middle being the most distinct in having a dark purple hue; fins pale with diffuse patterns and most pronounced in nuptial males (Ref. 121823).