Highly variable in color and also in the size of the pale blotch (looks blue in natural light). Latter varied from being totally absent to an area almost half the body size, especially when showing nuptial colors. At the Rowley Shoals, off the north-western Australian coast, it only shows the blotch when nuptial (Ref. 48635).

Description: Characterized by greatest depth of body at 2.4-2.7 in SL; fleshy protuberance at front of upper lip absent in male; prolonged third dorsal spine; lunate caudal fin (Ref. 90102).