This species is distinguished by the following: D V,21; A I,17; pectoral rays 17-18; lateral-line scales 57-58; scales above lateral line 6; gill rakers 3 + 11; body depth 5.4 in SL; palatine teeth absent; canine teeth in outer row on each side at front of jaws 3; penultimate dorsal and anal rays are the longest; pelvic fins do not reach anus; lower half of caudal fin is slightly rounded, the upper half slightly emarginate with a short prolongation of the 2nd to 4th branched rays; last interspinous membrane of the dorsal fin attached to the first soft ray about 1/5 length of ray from its base, Colouration: upper third of body orangish brown, the pigment concentrated on the scale edges, with a longitudinal series of 8 small dusky orange-red spots on he upper side; lower 2/3 of body white with 10 vertical yellow bars on ventral half (hence a midlateral white stripe on body due to lack of pigmentation); small dark brown spots scattered on postorbital head; small orange-red spots 2 in vertical alignment at base of caudal fin (Ref. 26156).