This species is distinguished by the following characters: with an orbital cirrus and a red banner (a set of 7 spp.); TP territorial males live in holes, with a black head and blackened anterior dorsal fin with a distal red band over a narrow white band and a thin white margin, the red band extending posteriorly to 5th-7th spinous membrane, curved down at front when erected in displaying TP, the narrow anterior flap variably present along first spine; with first 10 dorsal-fin spines relatively short and about equal length, the first spine reaching to 5th-6th spine base when adpressed, about half of HL, 11-12% SL; profile of anterior dorsal fin usually a straight line or slight concavity.

Colouration: TP dark-shaded and pale with a red-banded dorsal fin with irregular rows of larger dark spots along membranes of mid and posterior spinous-dorsal fin; the lower operculum and branchiostegal membranes with prominent narrow white lines alternating with wider rust-red or dark bands (= banded-operculum group of 3 spp.); row of discrete small dark spots along anterior lateral midline absent, uncommon with a row of dark spots along anterior upper body; transitional males have variably elongated anterior dorsal-fin spines with a distal red band over reticulated brown to orange bands on first three membranes.

IP with elongated first two dorsal-fin spines, often orange-tipped membranes, the first spine reaching to the base of 6th-9th spine base when adpressed, the second slightly shorter, third about 1/2 of first (earlier IP and juvenile with less elongate spines). Colouration: live colors include red, orange, and pink; cranial pattern not documented; IP head spots usually full complement; melanophores near pectoral-fin base typically form a long, thin, slightly oblique bar, usually followed by one or more spots (Ref. 125603).