This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: D X-XI,12-13 (modally XI,12), total rays 22-23, with the first dorsal-fin spine much shorter than second dorsal-fin spine, their bases close together; A II,10-11 (II,10), total rays 12-13 (12); lateral-line tubes 17-21(19); the width between interorbital ridges 3.0-4.2% (mean 3.7%) of SL; pelvic-fin base length 15.2-19.3% (17.4%) of SL Colouration: body entirely pinkish, with oblique alternating dark and light stripes; pectoral fin's inner surface is largely yellow, with irregular dark interconnected blotches along rays, together with small dark spots (Ref. 128010).