This species is distinguished with the following characters: predorsal midline with scales; fifth pelvic-fin ray with two dichotomous branch points (total of four branch tips); middle 12-13 pectoral-fin rays branched; bony interorbital 34-42% pupil width, not extending laterally beyond fifth papilla of row p; posterior interorbital trench a slight groove or absent; no opercular (and cheek) scales. Colouration: when alive the colour pattern is distinct, a yellow orange body with two light blue stripes along the dorsolateral and ventrolateral sides, both with a ventral extension bar of the same colour at their anterior origins (Ref. 125891).