This species is distinguished by the following characters: pored lateral line scales 34-37 (modally 36); scale rows between lateral line and base of 6th dorsal-fin spine 3 (two full-sized plus a dorsalmost half-sized scales); developed gill rakers 1-2 + 7-8 (modally 2 + 7); cheek scale rows 4-7 (modally 5); dentary surface of the lower jaw naked; interorbital region with a one row of cycloid scales extending to or slightly beyond the mid-orbit level; outermost row of teeth of the upper jaw are enlarged, antrorse and caniniform; outermost row of teeth of the lower jaw at the lateral side near symphysis with ca. 3-4 enlarged antrorse canines, the innermost row of teeth enlarged and caniniform; penultimate and the last dorsal- and anal-fin rays in adult are not elongated. Colouration: a red ocellus on opercular membrane between the spines; soft dorsal fin with series of large yellow spots; anal fin with a yellow margin; caudal fin with yellow spots along basal-half median fin rays; with a faint and discontinuous stripe formed by clusters of melanophores along the mid-lateral body when preserved (Ref, 127472).

Description: Along the COI gene, the following apomorphic sites have unique nucleotides shared by the two specimens of this species examined so far; these nucleotide sites can be used for separating the species from other congeners. Nos. 279 (T vs. A or G), 291 (T vs. A or G), 579 (G vs. A or C), 606 (T vs. A or G), 624 (G vs. A) (Ref. 123218).