This species is distinguished by the following characters: 3½ rows of scales above lateral line to base of middle dorsal-fin spines; without spine at anterior end of nasal bone; absence of spine at corner of preoperculum; 38 lateral-line scales; D XI,16 (XII for all its congeners except O. delta); last two dorsal-fin spines subequal; pectoral-fin rays 15; dorsal profile of head straight to above upper preopercular margin, then curving slightly onto nape; no half scale anterior to first lateral-line scale; gill rakers 6+13; body depth 2.45 in SL; head length 2.4 in SL; snout long, 3.65 in HL; orbit elliptical, greatest diameter 3.05 in HL; suborbital series narrow, the depth below eye 6.0 in orbit diameter; colour when fresh bright red with a silvery white blotch basally on each scale (whitish spots above the lateral line is partly obscured by preponderance of red coloration), scales on cheek and opercle largely silvery white (Ref. 114923).