This species is distinct with the following characters: D IX, 10; A III, 8; pectoral rays 12; 14+6 lateral-line scales; 15-17 gill rakers; body depth 3.0-3.3 in SL; head length (HL) 2.35-2.4 in SL; snout length 3.2-3.25 in HL; interorbital width 4.5 in HL; longest dorsal spine 2.15 in HL; third anal spine 2.05 in HL; pectoral-fin length 2.2 in HL; pelvic-fin length 2.15 in HL; when fresh it is purplish red posteriorly, grading to orange-red anteriorly; the snout and ventral part of head usually light blue-green; across body with 3 narrow white bars, the first from below second dorsal spine to abdomen, the second from eighth dorsal spine to third anal spine, the third across caudal peduncle; from nape across head behind eye runs a slightly oblique narrow bar, a faint white line extending ventrally from anterior edge of orbit; anteriorly on soft portion of dorsal fin is an ocellated black spot as large as eye; a short oblique narrow white band from middle of soft portion of dorsal fin onto back; anteriorly on soft portion of anal fin is a small elliptical ocellus; bluish white pelvic fins with a very large black spot; no blackish spot ventrally on abdomen between pelvic fins (Ref. 75144).