This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: D X,15; A III,7; pectoral-fin rays 13|13 (13|12), all unbranched; principal caudal-fin rays 9 + 8; lateral line complete with 30-32 tubed scales; supraneural bones 3, predorsal formula 0/0 + 0/2/1 + 1/1/1/;

gill rakers 5 + 12; circumpeduncular scales 11-12; oblique rows of scales on cheek 8; longest dorsal spine the 4th or 5th; no fleshy tips on the dorsal-fin spines; no antrorse serrations on preopercle. Colouration: with a series of irregularly shaped patches of red-orange along dorsal two-thirds of body; patches divided into two indistinct rows by the lateral line; patches of red-orange dorsally and posteriorly, becoming more yellow-orange anteriorly and ventrally, golden yellow on opercle and maxilla; anal fin pointed, mostly white proximally, yellow distally, with two yellow spots approximately one-third orbit diameter at the base of third spine and fifth and sixth soft rays; two irregularly shaped yellow-orange spots, approximately one-third orbit diameter, at either side of centermost caudal-fin rays; small orange spot, approximately one-half orbit in diameter, at the base of pelvic fin (Ref.132548).