This species is diagnosed by the following characters: D VI-I, 11; A I, 11; pectoral rays 19; scales in longitudinal series 39; median predorsal scales 15; scales on head absent except dorsally behind eye; scales on prepectoral area; body not very elongate, depth 5.35 in SL; orbit diameter 3.2 in HL; third dorsal spine longest, 3.95 in SL; caudal fin long, the middle five rays prolonged into a tapering filament as long as rest of fin, total fin length 2.15 in SL; pectoral fins reaching to above origin of anal fin, 3.6 in SL; pelvic fins just reaching anus, 4.9 in SL (Ref. 75899); characterized further by pale bluish grey body color with four diffuse brown bars on body; nape and body with orange lines and small spots; lower half of side has a zone of elongate orange spots and occasional vertical orange lines; cheek and operculum with dark-edged orange bands and spots; dorsal fins bluish with dusky orange bands; united pelvic fins, presence of well developed frenum; cycloid scales covering body anteriorly, ctenoid posteriorly (Ref. 90102).