Has 2 to 3 blue-bordered red longitudinal stripes on the head that extends faintly on the body, as well as red basal stripes on the dorsal and anal fins, a dark tip on the first dorsal fin, and red ocelli on the caudal fin; characterized further by pale grey body color on back, grading to white on lower side; without filamentous dorsal spines; rhomboid caudal fin, longer than head; length of caudal fin 2.8-3.5 in SL; longitudinal scale series 73-94; ctenoid body scales, becoming cycloid anteriorly below anterior part of fist of first dorsal fin; head or midline of nape without scales; side of nape with scales extending forward above middle to front of operculum; base of pectoral fin scaleless; usually partly scaled prepelvic area in adult; depth of body 5.1-6.2 in SL (Ref. 90102).