This species is distinguished by the following characters: colour pattern distinguishes this species where freshly collected specimens have a brown-grey body; a bright red peduncle margined dorsally and ventrally by two large white saddles; vertical orange bars 4 on a salmon background on the head; midline of nape naked; interorbital trench well developed, second dorsal spine elongated, fifth pelvic fin ray unbranched; when preserved, the two light saddles on the caudal peduncle and the light vertical bars on the head visible; without scales in the predorsal midline or on cheek (Ref. 118045).