This species is distinguished by the following charactersL an orbital cirrus and a red banner; TP territorial males found 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, red band extending posteriorly to 5th-7th spinous membrane, when erected, curved down at front in displaying TP, with a narrow anterior flap variably present along first spine; the first 10 dorsal-fin spines are relatively short and about equal-length, with first spine reaching to 5–6th spine base when adpressed, about half of HL, 12-14% SL. Colouration: dark-shaded and pale TP with a red-banded dorsal fin, with irregular rows of larger dark spots along the membranes of mid and posterior spinous-dorsal fin, the lower operculum and branchiostegal membranes with prominent thin white lines alternating with wider dark bands (= banded-operculum group of 3 spp.), along anterior lateral midline with a variable-length row of small dark spots, along anterior upper body, no row of dark spots; transitional males with variably elongated anterior dorsal-fin spines with a distal red band over reticulated brown to orange bands on the first three membranes.

The IP with elongated first two dorsal-fin spines, often with slightly orange-tipped membranes, the first spine reaching to base of 6-8th spine base when adpressed, 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 with undeveloped bands 1 and 2, a red V-shaped band 3, an inconspicuous pale band 4, and band 5 a short red segment; the red V-shape connects to red midline spot and red inner ends of band 4 and band 5 to form an X-shape; IP head spots are usually full

complement, can form opercular lines; melanophores near pectoral-fin base typically form a long, thin, slightly oblique bar, often followed by one or more spots (Ref. 125603).