This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: dorsal-fin rays IV,23-25; anal-fin rays II,12-14; pectoral-fin rays 13; outer caudal rays of adult male elongated, 35.2-43.2% SL; inner caudal rays of both sexes relatively short and scarcely exerted beyond margin of interradial membranes, 20.8-23.4% SL; pelvic fins relatively short, 14.3-17.3 % SL in male and 12.2-12.9% SL in female; colour pattern consisting of three dark stripes on head and body with pale interspaces, uppermost interspace bright yellow in life; lowermost dark stripe terminating in one or more small, isolated dark spots or dash-like markings at caudal-fin base; fins plain translucent without markings except dorsal fin with broad dark, basal stripe and narrow dark, submarginal stripe; and maximum size generally under 40 mm SL (Ref. 138626).