This species is distinguished from all its congeners by having the following set of characters: D2 and A I, 10; pectoral fin rays usually 18-19; fourth and/or fifth spines longest in first dorsal fin of male; no or small interval between first- and second-dorsal-fin bases in male (less than 1/3 of the length of the first-dorsal-fin base; the fin bases are often connected); cephalic sensory pore D single; preopercular sensory canal usually with two (M’ and O’) or three pores (M’, N, and O’); without enlarged lobes or projections in front of the urogenital papilla of males; lateral scales reaching anteriorly beyond the area below the origin of the first dorsal fin; scales with large, spike-like ctenii laterally on the trunk in male. Colouration of male with a broad, reddish-brown or dark-red band between bases of the second dorsal and anal fins, red, reddish-brown, or dark-brown head, belly without clear black lines, second dorsal fin being reddish brown or dark red proximally and white or light yellowish brown distally, a black spot at anterior part of second dorsal fin, and anal fin being reddish brown or dark red proximally and translucent distally (Ref. 125534).