Presence of 4 median predorsal scales; 3 rows of scales on cheek, the upper row with 6-7 scales, the middle row with 6 scales, and the lower row with 1 or 2 scales; 1 or 2 laterally projecting canines posteriorly on side of dental plates of adults; lips covering more than 3/4 of dental plates; dorsal fin moderately high, the longest dorsal spine 2.1-2.6 in head length; caudal fin truncate in young, double marginate in initial-phase fish, and somewhat lunate in terminal males. Initial phase fish brownish pink to rose pink, the throat and thorax green with green stripes extending posteriorly across abdomen; naked part of caudal fin blackish with orange lobes and a broad whitish posterior margin; body of terminal males pink and green, with blue and pink stripes ventrally; head blue with pink stripes ( a broad one on snout passing through lower eye to pectoral-fin base, and another from behind eye across upper part of operculum); naked part of caudal fin purple centrally, green posteriorly, the lobes blue with a pink submarginal band.