This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D VIII,13; A III, 8; pectoral fin 15; 20-21 total gill rakers on first arch (including rudiments); 47-48 lateral-line scales; length of first dorsal spine, 2.9-4.2% SL; margin of spinous dorsal fin moderately indented posteriorly in adults (fourth spine 11-12% SL, fifth and sixth spines only slightly shorter than fourth, 6.9-10% SL); depth at origin of dorsal fin, 23-26% SL; least depth of caudal peduncle, 11-13% SL; orbit diameter, 9.4-12% SL; upper lip with yellow-orange stripe; approximately 13 white, chevron-shaped markings in a series on the ventral portion of trunk; a reddish-black blotch on distal portion of lower caudal-fin lobe (Ref. 95858).