This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VII + 9; pectoral fins 13-15; gill rakers 6-8 + 18-21 = 24-28. Adult measurements as %SL: body depth at first dorsal-fin origin 21-25 and at anus 18-22; caudal-peduncle depth 8.0-11; maximum head depth 18-21 and through eye 15-17; head length 27-31; orbit length 6.1-8.2; upper jaw length 9.7-12; barbel length 18-23; caudal-fin length 25-29; anal-fin height 15-19; pelvic-fin length 19-23; pectoral-fin length 21-25; first dorsal-fin height 20-24 and second dorsal-fin height 15-19. Colouration: upper caudal-fin lobe in fresh fish with 3-4 red oblique bars while lower caudal-fin lobe almost entirely covered by a broad red stripe that becomes darker distally and is partially surrounded by a dark grey line and by a contrasting white fin margin and white lobe tip exteriorly; there are only weak indications of upper caudal fin lobe bars in preserved specimens with a dark pigmented zone remaining distally at the lower lobe; barbels are yellow; without lateral body stripes; head and body white or silvery ventrally and laterally, sometimes covered with red blotches, and uniformly red dorsally of lateral line; preserved fish are pale brown or brown (Ref. 98481).

Description: Differs from other Upeneus with 7-spined dorsal fin in generally having14 pectoral fin rays; 7 + 18 gill rakers; 29 - 30 + 2 lateral line scales; teeth on ectopterygoid present; and, dark brown or black peritoneum (Ref. 43139).