Description: Small fusiform tripterygiid, less than 3.5 cm SL. Dorsal fin IV + XIII + 10, first fin lowest, third fin highest, spines and rays with lateral branches; anal fin I + 18-19; pectoral rays 16, also branched; pelvic fin I, 2, spine short and hidden, rays slender, partially united by membrane; caudal rays 6+7, divided once (except the upper-and lowermost), procurrent 6+5. Vertebrae 11 + 23-24; pleural ribs 9, epipleural ribs 11. LL total lateral scales 34; pored series 15-18 (16) scales; posterior notched series scales 19-22 (22), two scale rows after the end of the pored series; transverse scales 3/7; head and body covered with scales including belly and bases of fins; scales ctenoid with stout ctennii, small and modified on cheeks and opercle. Head broad, blunt, and with spiny papillae on snout and perimeter of eyes. Mandibular pores 3+2+3. Infraorbital canal single, unbranched. Head orange, paler and banded in females. Body pale grey with 5 distinct deep orange bars, darkest on caudal peduncle (Ref. 35802).