This species is distinct in having the following characters: pored lateral-line scales 15 + 5; gill rakers 13-14; body depth 3.0-3.4 in SL; dorsal soft rays 3-4, of males prolonged as relatively broad filaments that curve posteriorly when erected during courtship; strongly lunate caudal fin; pelvic fins in males 1.7-1.9 in HL and females 2.3 in HL; color of males overall orange-red with 4 sky-blue stripes on upper two-thirds of side and trio of similar narrow stripes/bands on head; courting males with white dorsal fin, contrasting strongly with adjacent zone of intense red (black when viewed underwater) along upper back; anal fin mainly yellow orange, its margin bright blue; caudal fin with broad blue horizontal streaks, margin pale; pelvic fins yellow orange, bright blue anterior margin (Ref. 75887).