This species is characterized by the following characters: scales on the cheek, opercle, pectoral fin base and the predorsal midline; a moderate to well developed interorbital trench with steep sides; absence of postorbital trenches; no enlarged teeth in the upper jaw; ground color of preserved specimens yellow with a strikingly black caudal fin, in freshly dead material the ground color is mustard-yellow and the caudal fin rays are deep red with black interradial membranes, edged with a white band (Ref. 59339).