This species is distinguished by the following characters: predorsal midline with 6 scales; 2 ctenoid scales along the upper border of the opercle; cheek scaleless; first 2 dorsal spines slightly elongated and reaching posteriorly to between the base of the spine and the base of the first ray of the second dorsal fin; unbranched pectoral-fin rays; a fifth pelvic fin ray which branches once dichotomously and is 58-72% the length of the fourth ray; full basal membrane connecting the inner margins of the fifth pelvic fins rays in undamaged specimens; live colour pattern of red-orange and dark brown or grey stripes on the body reaching posteriorly to the anterior half of the caudal peduncle, it is unique among members of the genus, as is the preserved colour pattern of dark and light body stripes (Ref. 96671).