This species is distinguished by the following characters: D X,16; A III, 7; pectoral-fin rays 16-17 (usually 17); lateral-line scales 42-43; gill rakers 10-11 + 22-24; body depth 3.0-3.3 in SL; head length 2.9-3.1 in SL; papillae on posterior edge of orbit; no serrae on edge of subopercle nor on interopercle; snout length 3.75-4.45 in HL; front of upper lip thickened and moderately protuberant; bony interorbital width 3.45-3.75 in HL; 4th to 10th dorsal spines subequal, 2.15-2.8 in HL; caudal fin lunate, 2.4-2.55 in SL; color of males lavender-pink, the head yellow dorsally with narrow magenta bands, caudal fin red with broad, upper and lower lavender-blue margins; color of females mainly yellow with flecks of magenta, the head with the same magenta bands as male, and fins mainly yellow with a narrow magenta margin (Ref. 86964).