This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI?I?I+11; seventh dorsal spine embedded and scaled over, the first dorsal spine minute, both are only visible in the radiographs; sixth dorsal spine clearly visible above interdorsal ridge; 16 pectoral rays; about 54 lateral-line scales (only countable in holotype); approx. 4?5+1+8?11 gill rakers; inner teeth at front of jaws and side of lower jaw substantially longer than teeth in outer row; posterior margin of upper central part of preopercle is irregular, finely serrated; pink ground coloration, with broad yellow-orange stripe from snout through eye along the midlateral part of flanks; numerous thinner yellow-orange stripes above and below this central stripe, slightly irregular on opercle and tail; yellow-orange caudal fin's upper and lower margin, the dorsal margin of softray dorsal fin and lower margin of anal fin; caudal fin slightly emarginate (Ref. 91766).