This species is distinguished by the following characters: D V, 21; A I, 17; pectoral-fin rays 18; lateral-line scales 56/58; canine teeth 4 pairs anteriorly in lower jaw; without palatine teeth; vomer has a row of about 9 stout conical teeth, often followed by a few much smaller teeth; ctenoid scales on body, becoming cycloid on prepelvic but not prepectoral area; cycloid scales on opercle and cheek, those on cheek very small, mainly non-imbricate ventrally; preopercle with smooth margin; body depth 4.85-5.3 in SL; head length 3.15-3.25 in SL; snout length 2.5-2.9 in HL; orbit diameter 3.75-4.45 in HL; interorbital width 5.2-6.9 in HL; fourth dorsal spine is the longest, 4.5-5.35 in HL; caudal fin slightly rounded on ventral half, truncate on dorsal half, has a pointed upper lobe extending about an orbit diameter posterior to central margin of fin; pectoral fins 4.3-5.05 in SL; pelvic fins nearly or just reaching origin of anal fin, 4.7–5.0 in SL; preserved color in alcohol pale yellowish gray, 5 square dusky bars from dark pigment on scale edges on about upper one-fourth of body, a dark brown spot at each lower corner (except first bar with only 1); translucent pale yellowish fins with pale yellow rays, the caudal with a very small dusky spot dorsally on base; fresh color pale orange dorsally, white ventrally, with 5 broad pink bars on body, becoming red ventrally, each with brown spots as described; a broad, oblique red bar on cheek; fins pale yellowish, the dorsal with a faint longitudinal yellow band about half way out in fin; caudal fin with a narrow magenta bar at base containing a small deep purple spot dorsally and a red spot ventrally; pectoral fins has a white bar at base containing an elongate magenta spot; pelvic fins are nearly white (Ref. 75205).