This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: dorsal rays X or XI,9 or 10; anal rays III,9; pectoral rays 15; lateral-line scales 15-17 + 6-9; median predorsal scales 6; horizontal scale rows on cheek below eye 2; gill rakers 15-17; body depth 2.6-2.9 in SL; head length 3.0-3.1 in SL; snout length 3.7-3.8 in head; median head profile of adult male slightly concave at interorbital; caudal fin rounded; pelvic fins of males elongate and filamentous, but generally not reaching beyond base of first few segmented anal-fin rays; diagnostic live colour pattern features of terminal phase (male) include a general reddish body, grading to blue ventrally with large blue patch just behind head and prominent orange zone on lower body just above belly region; spinous dorsal fin mainly red; second dorsal, anal, and caudal fins blue basally grading to yellowish on outer portion with blue speckling/banding and with blue fin rays; pelvic fins bluish; pectoral fins translucent with prominent blue band across base; and initial juvenile and female phases mainly reddish with a small blackish spot on dorsal portion of caudal peduncle (Ref. 138626).