A species of Opistognathus with an elongate supramaxilla and maxilla whose posterior end is produced as a thin flexible lamina that in adults extends to or beyond rear margin of opercle; inner lining of upper jaw and adjacent membranes with one conspicuous black stripe; in life, caudal fin uniformly white; first gill arch with conspicuous, small dark blotches (8–11), each adjacent to a gill-raker base; dorsal fin XI, 15; body with about 72–75 oblique scale rows (Ref. 88069).

Description: Characterized by brown head, grading to yellowish and white ventrally; yellow lips with several brown bars; brownish body anteriorly, grading to bluish black on posterior half; caudal fin whitish (Ref. 90102).