This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: D2 modally I,8; A I,7; pectoral fin rays modally 17; longitudinal scale series 32-33 (modally 33); perdorsal scales usually 13-14; vertebrae 27; male with rear edge of mouth merely extending to or slightly beyond vertical of anterior margin of pupil. Colouration: lateral body of male with 6-8 longitudinal rows of deep orange to orange red spots about 1/2-1/3 of pupil diameter, its cheek and opercle with 24-28 orange to reddish orange spots; with a larger cheek spot about 1/2 of pupil diameter; branchiostegal membrane of male gray with some yellowish green tone with larger 12-15 orange spots, while in female, the number of spots is less than 5; male with a middle, conspicuous grayish black mark mainly in front of second spine of first dorsal fin and its basal region with 7-9 orange or brown spots; pectoral fin base of male with two rows (totally 7-10 spots) of orange to red orange spots which 3-4 larger orange spots on anterior row (Ref, 133058).