This species is distinguished by the following characters: the lateral profile of body with slight convex curve from posterior part of first dorsal fin base to the moderately narrow caudal peduncle; with a narrow but distinct postorbital notch above and behind each eye and faint furrow across nape at rear of interorbital space; the rostral process with broad to deep medial notch and nearly straight to slightly curved anterior edge on each rostral lobe to triangular spine of moderate size at apical corner; pored lateral line scales 58-61; scales above lateral line 3 and below about 14-17; D1 IX, second distinctly longer than first, barely longer than third, and subsequent spines progressively shorter; D2 15-16 rays; A 15 (rarely 14 or 16) rays; pectoral fins reaching about fourth or fifth anal fin ray, the first free pectoral fin ray reaching to between anus and base of third anal fin ray, not or just reaching tip of pelvic fin. Colouration: a broad red band just distal to middle of caudal fin with broad ventrally tapering pink margin and transverse red band basally; inner surface of pectoral fin dark greenish brown with a large black patch covering ventral third to half of fin from base to distal margin except for fine red margin dorsally and distally and broad red margin ventrally, prominent white spots are scattered over all but red areas on fin (Ref. 127946).