This species is distinguished by the following characters: D IX,11; A III,10; pectoral-fin rays 13; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 6-7, lower 7-8; principal caudal-fin rays 8 + 7; circumpeduncular scales 22-24; body depth 3.4-3.8 in SL; head length 2.6-3.3 in SL; snout length 2.4-4.2 in HL; orbit diameter 2.5-5.5 in HL; orbit diameter 0.6-1.9 in snout length; caudal-peduncle length 1.6-5.1 in HL; pored lateral-line scales 27-28; scale rows above lateral line 4-5, below lateral line 10-12; total gill rakers 12-14; lower lip U-shaped, its anterior margin ventrally furled, occasionally split medially; inner surface of upper and lower lips plicate. Colouration: juveniles and Initial phase with two electric blue stripes, posterior dorsal and anal fins with a conspicuous black ocellus; Terminal phase males uniformly navy blue with pale blue boomerang shaped stripe on cheek (Ref. 138889).