This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: scale rows between 6th dorsal-fin spine and lateral line 6-7 (usually 7); scale rows between last dorsal-fin spine and lateral line 6-7 (7); middle postorbital scale rows 2-3 (3); caudal-peduncle depth 7.2-9.0% (modally 8.1%) of SL; interorbital width at vertical midline of eye 17.9-21.4 % (19.5%) of HL; maxillary depth 14.3-16.3% (15.7%) of HL; lower opercular spine length 25.0-28.9% (27.0%) of HL; dorsal margin of interorbital space flat; presence of nasal and parietal spines; supraocular spine rudimentary; second lacrimal spine directed anteroventrally or ventrally (directed posteroventrally only on left side of CSIRO H1167-06); tip of lower opercular spine below posterior margin of opercle; jaws with long, widely spaced canine teeth; premaxillary teeth generally in single straight row (posteriormost teeth in 2 irregular rows), totaling ca. 40 teeth. Colouration: head and body uniformly vivid red in fresh specimens, caudal fin and oral membrane uniformly pale in preserved specimens (Ref. 123746).