Diagnosis: body stocky (Ref. 57393), relatively deep (Ref. 81653). Head pointed, dorsal profile of forehead abrupt/steep (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). Eyes large (Ref. 81653). Preorbital/lachrymal bone (very) broad (Ref. 55, 81653). Maxilla extending to about mid-eye level (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). Vomerine tooth plate triangular with a pronounced, long, postero-median extension (Ref. 57393, 81653). Pectoral fins of adult not reaching level of anus (Ref. 55, 81653). Scales medium-sized and ctenoid (Ref. 57393, 81653). Scale rows on back parallel to lateral line (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653), 5-7 rows below spinous part of dorsal fin (Ref. 57393, 81653). 5-6 transverse scale rows on cheek (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). Presence of narrow blue band from snout to angle of opercle (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653) or a row of broken spots below eye (ref. 55). Small specimens from shallow water mainly brownish (Ref. 55).

Coloration: back vermilion red, becoming bright pink in large individuals and fading progressively to whitish on belly; blue subocular line, either continuous or fragmented, running from upper jaw to angle of opercle; juveniles more or less uniformly brownish (Ref. 57393).