This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: dorsal-fin rays IV,27-28; anal-fin rays II,16; pectoral-fin rays 14-15; outer caudal rays of adult male elongated, approximately 37-49 % SL (from underwater photos); inner caudal rays of both sexes relatively short and scarcely exerted beyond margin of interradial membranes, 16.0-21.7% SL; pelvic fin length unknown in male and 12.0-15.5% SL in female; colour pattern consisting of three narrow dark stripes on head and body with much wider pale interspaces, uppermost interspace mainly bright yellow in life; middle dark stripe expanded at terminus on caudal-fin base; fins plain translucent without markings except dorsal fin with narrow dark, basal stripe and narrow dark, submarginal stripe; and maximum size generally under 40 mm SL (Ref. 138626).