This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D2 9, first dorsal fin pointed with elongate fourth spine in male; pectoral-fin rays 16; premaxilla 46-50 tricuspid teeth; dentary 4 (male) or 1 (female) symphyseal teeth and 40-46 unicuspid horizontal teeth in 2.7-3.6 cm SL; scales in longitudinal row 30-32; nape and posterior half of occipital region with cycloid scales; males without white patch behind pectoral-fin base and a broad black band along distal margin of second dorsal fin, the lateral side of body and dorsal and caudal fins often tinged with vivid orange; females with 11 or 12 dusky transverse bars laterally on trunk and tail, intersecting with the mid-lateral longitudinal band and has several conspicuous black spots on each of the spines and soft rays on the first and second dorsal, and caudal fins; anal fin lacking remarkable marking; pectoral-fin rays with 2-5 and 1-4 black spots, respectively, for male and female (Ref. 95104).