Diagnosis: Dorsal fin XII, 15-17 (usually 16), deeply incised above the last spine; anal fin II, 16-18 (usually 17); pectoral rays 14-16 (in general for the genus); pelvic fin I, 4; caudal fin procurrent rays 10-14. Gill rakers 25-31. Vertebrae 10 + 21-23 (usually 22); last pleural rib on 12th, last epipleural rib on 18th-23rd vertebral centrum. Body scaleless. Lateral line, anterior portion with small scalelike flaps, LL tubes 11-17 (rarely 9-10), series ends below and posterior to dorsal fin ray 12. Narrow inner ring of iris yellow, remainder black. Lower lip crenulated mesially, plicate laterally. Upper lip crenulae 34-52. Cirri, nuchal 28-42, supraorbital 4-18, nasal 8-27. Nuchal cirri in 2 groups, not overlapping at midpoint of nape, no nuchal flaps. First and second dorsal fin spine almost same height. Species name (albus - white; apicalis - apex) refers to pale tips of dorsal-fin spines. Adult brown in body color with spots; brown pupil-sized spot behind each eye. Ophioblennius stage overall light brown; lower lip both corners with dark spot; cirri brown; fins pale (in alcohol); dentary with 2-4 canines posteriorly (Ref. 529).