This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: dorsal rays VI + I,9; anal rays I,8; pectoral rays 14; lateral scales 27; transverse scales 7; predorsal scales 9; live coloration overall greyish brown with slightly mottled appearance; five poorly defined darker brown; slightly oblique bands on side between dorsal-fin origin and caudal peduncle; large greyish spot at middle of caudal-fin base; 4 clusters of bright iridescent bluish-white markings along lower side; bright yellow lips, chin, ventral head, and breast; first dorsal fin yellow medially and black basally; small dark spots on second dorsal and caudal fins; and pale yellow anal fin with blackish outer margin, blackish pelvic fins, and translucent pectoral fin with pale yellow basal portion containing blackish spot on upper part (Ref. 138626)