Body depth 2.75-3.2 in SL. A broad band of small scales extending from below eye to slightly below corner of mouth; 2 or 3 scales dorsoanteriorly on opercle. First and second dorsal spines flexible, about twice length of third spine, slightly longer than longest dorsal soft ray, and not separated from remainder of fin; space between 2nd and 3rd dorsal spines about 1.5 times greater than space between 3rd and 4th spines; membrane between 2nd and 3rd dorsal spines incised to about 1/3 length of 3rd dorsal spine. A small black spot a scale row below 8th lateral line scale (above tip of pectoral fin). Both sexes with a row of orange dots along lateral line and scattered dots below, posteriorly on body; females with a large roundish pink patch dorsally on abdomen containing oblique orange lines on scale edges, ending dorsally in orange spots; males with black lines variously under edges of 2nd to 6th lateral-line scales, sometimes extending to row above or below, and no pink patch on abdomen (Ref. 39775).