This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XI,9; A III,9; pectoral-fin rays usually 15 (occasionally 16); lateral-line scales 15-17 + 6-9; median predorsal scales 4-6; a single horizontal scale rows on cheek below eye; gill rakers 13-16 (usually 14); body depth 2.9-3.5 in SL; head length 2.8-3.1 in SL; snout length 3.7-4.5 in HL; the caudal fin is rounded; male pelvic fins elongate and reaching posteriorly to about middle of anal fin, 2.2-2.9 in SL; colour of male in life mainly bright red to orange on upper one half to two-thirds of head and body, often with an orange wash on nape and diffuse orange zone between dorsal-fin origin and upper pectoral-fin base; the head and body abruptly white to pale greyish on lower third; dorsal fin with white basal stripe and broad black band covering most of spinous part of fin, tapering in width posteriorly to end of soft dorsal, the outer half of soft dorsal translucent yellowish with row of blue spots between black and translucent portions; anal fin is white basally and remainder of fin bright red except row of blue spots between white and red portions and narrow blue outer margin; the caudal fin red medially with 2-3 transverse rows of small blue spots, dorsalmost and ventralmost fourths of fin yellowish; female and juvenile in life mainly yellowish anteriorly on head and body, grading to pinkish on remainder of body except belly and lower half of head whitish; presence of about 6-7 narrow white to bluish stripes on upper half of head (including snout), continuing on side of body (corresponding with lateral scale rows) to caudal-fin base; the fins are mainly pale grey to pinkish except dorsal fin with broad yellow basal stripe and dark grey to blackish on remainder of spinous portion (Ref. 103842).