This species is distinguished from all its congeners by the following set of characters: D2 I,8; A I,6-7; pectoral fin modally 16-17; longitudinal scale rows 33-34; predorsal scales 0-3; vertebral count 27. Colouration pattern: scale pocket of lateral body with distal brown to blackish brown mark; males with cheek deep brown on dorsal half with 7-8 somewhat parallel oblique deep brown bars after the vertical stripe on snout, the branchiostegal membrane bright yellow background with 16-19 deep red or brownish red spots and with the first dorsal fin with a black mark; in both sexes, the opercle brown to yellowish brown with net-like deep brown marks; pectoral fin base with a median patch of blackish spots surrounding with some irregularly large brown marks; caudal fin yellow with 3-4 vertical rows of deep brown spots (Ref. 127457).