This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: dorsal rays VI + I,11, fourth dorsal spine slightly filamentous, reaching base of about fourth or fifth segmented dorsal ray when adpressed; anal rays I,11; pectoral rays 17; lateral scales 32; transverse scales 9; body scales mostly ctenoid, except cycloid scales anterior to level of about second dorsal-fin origin; scales absent on head, including medially and anteriorly on predorsal region; caudal fin lanceolate with short, median filament; and colour in life light blue with yellow-orange spots, dashes and vertical streaks on head, five prominent brown to blackish saddles on side of head and body, irregular, interrupted yellow-orange stripe on upper side, large dark brown spot at base of first dorsal fin, and scattered yellow-orange spots on upper back, and second dorsal, anal, and caudal fins (Ref. 138626).