This species without an orbital cirrus or a red banner is distinguished by the following characters: TP territorial males found in holes with a black head; the anterior dorsal fin is plain black without a white rim; first dorsal-fin spine is very short, when adpressed reaching to 4th spine base, about 1/4 HL, the subsequent spines rising to midfin spines; occasionally a short row of small dark spots along anterior lateral midline, occasionally an irregular row of dark spots along proximal membranes of spinous dorsal fin (Ref. 125603).

Dark-shaded, pale, and transitional TP have very short first dorsal-fin spine, that when adpressed reaches to 4th spine base, with subsequent spines rising to midfin; usually with an irregular row of dark spots along proximal spinous-dorsal fin membranes, often indistinct; occasionally with a short row of small dark spots along anterior lateral midline; no opercular bands or lines; the reduced head markings often only a dark band from eye across jaw, sometimes a moustache band at rim above maxilla (Ref. 125603).

IP with very short first dorsal-fin spines, the first spine when adpressed reaching to base of 3rd or 4th spine base, spines rising sharply to midfin spines. Colouration: live colors red, orange, and pink; the cranial pattern a Y-shape: whith a rounded red band 1, band 2 a prominent Y with pale arms and a red stalk, a reduced band 3 often just one, sometimes two, isolated spots or segments, a long pale band 4 becoming red towards the midline, band 5 inconspicuous; IP head spots are reduced, typically only a band from eye across jaws, sometimes a spot at corner of jaw; melanophores near pectoral-fin base are usually diffuse, occasionally one or two spots (Ref. 125603).