This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: pored lateral-line scales 43 or 44; scale rows between lateral line and base of 6th dorsal-fin spine 3; subopercular serrae 24-26; interorbital scales just reaching level of mid-orbit; scales on ventral surface of lower jaw extending anteriorly onto posterior portion of dentary; a longitudinal orange stripe from posterior margin of orbit to caudal-fin base (not retained as prominent dark marking in preserved specimens); anal fin with 9-11 relatively large yellow spots (not retained in preserved specimens); body depth at pelvic-fin origin 23.5-24.1% of SL; head length 35.6-36.3% of SL; orbit diameter 11.0-11.7% of SL; postorbital length 17.9-18.8% of SL; and pectoral-fin length 24.7-26.4% of SL (Ref. 137845).