This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: scale rows in longitudinal series 46; pored lateral-line scales 44; gill rakers 13, including rudiments; main supratemporal sensory canal (STC) with 9 branches posteriorly; areas bounded by STC and postotic sensory canals (dorsal view) with embedded scales; least distance between anteroventral margin of orbit and maxilla 0.4 % of SL. Colouration: absence of red blotches superimposed on or extending onto midlateral red stripe and no yellow stripe on dorsal fin when fresh; vivid yellow stripe extending from below anterior margin of orbit to the preopercle and vivid yellow blotch or band on lower part of opercle when fresh; with distinct black stripe from center of upper lip to opercular margin through eye in preservation (Ref. 129445).