This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: D2 I,8; A I,8; pectoral-fin rays fin rays 36-40 (modally 19); longitudinal scale rows 32-35; transverse scale rows 9-10; predorsal scales 11-13 with a trifurcate anterior margin of which point 3 lies above the upper gill opening; vertebrae 10 + 16 = 26; gill opening extending ventrally to the vertical midline of the opercle. Coloration of males and females: males' basal region of body scale pockets with a bright orange spot, somewhat indistinct in females; the lateral side of females with a middle longitudinal row of discontinuous brownish black spots or bars and their dorsal lateral region with 3-4 longitudinal rows of black spots and the caudal fin base with 2 separate, vertical black bars; males with second dorsal fin with 4 longitudinal rows of reddish brown bars or spots and caudal fin with 8-10 waving vertical orange to brown stripes; pectoral fin base with a basal distinct, oblique deep brown stripe; cheek scattered with 16-25 small, orange red spots, brighter in males; the pectoral fin base of the species with a basal distinct, oblique deep brown stripe, followed by a parallel shorter, lighter stripe or waving mark (Ref. 104792).