This species is distinguished by the following: D IX, 12; A III, 12; pectoral rays 13; lateral-line scales 75-78; gill rakers 5-6 + 12-14; body depth 3.6-4.35 in SL; dorsal fin of terminal male not elevated anteriorly; truncate to slightly emarginate caudal fin; fin length 1.45-1.65 in HL; color of initial phase gray-brown with a dark brown stripe from behind eye, twice as broad as orbit, narrowing to less than orbit diameter anteriorly on caudal peduncle, then expanding to a large triangle twice orbit diameter in height on base of caudal fin; upper and lower edges of caudal fin broadly dusky; remaining fins translucent; terminal male more melanistic, the dark stripe obscure, the caudal lobes as dark as base of fin; dorsal fin dark brown with narrow pale margin, grading to dusky on about posterior fourth of fin (Ref. 75622).