This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: dorsal-fin rays III + 12 + 10 = 32; anal-fin rays I,17-18; pectoral rays 16 (rarely 15); tubular pored lateral-line scales 15-20 + 14-19; total lateral scales 34-36; mandibular pore formula usually 4 + 1 + 4; male pinkish to white in life with four broad red-brown saddles on upper half of body, each with pair of narrower extensions on lower side; red-brown stripe on side of snout and across cheek, and gill cover largely red-brown; fins mainly pale except caudal dark brown to reddish brown; female semi-translucent with about 7-8 small red-brown saddles on upper back, 9-10 reddish-brown blotches on ventral side from abdominal region to caudal-fin base, and numerous, variable-sized white spots scattered on side, both on surface and sub-dermally; fins generally pale; both sexes with extensive white streaks on basal portion of pectoral rays; and maximum size to 23 mm SL. (Ref. 138626).