This species is distinguished by the following characters: no scales on the cheeks and opercle; 8-9 scales in predorsal midline; short second dorsal spine reaching to a mean of the base of the first ray of the second dorsal fin when abducted; pectoral-fin rays 17-19 with 5-10 branched rays in the middle of the fin; an unbranched 5th pelvic-fin ray, 51-64% the length of 4th ray; total gill rakers 17-19; papillae in row c 6, below the eye; U-shaped bony interorbital with a narrow slit-like postorbital trench which ends at the posteriormost papilla in row p; colour when freshly collected, a reddish head with 3-4 yellow bars on the cheek, red iris with four yellow spots, yellow body which is lighter posteriorly, scales pockets outlined with melanophores and scale rows above and below midlateral row much lighter posterior to second dorsal fin origin (giving appearance of three yellow stripes on body); colour when preserved with fairly evenly distributed melanophores over the dorsal surface of the snout (Ref. 116838).