This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI + I,8-11 (usually 10); A I,9-11 (usually10); fully erect first dorsal fin of male differs from female, male fin rectangular with fifth spine longest and female fin triangular with first spine forming elongate filament; no pelvic frenum nor head pores; longitudinal scales 25-30, often continuous from posterior pectoral-fin base to caudal-fin base, but anterior half of body mainly scaleless; body depth at pelvic-fin origin 13.4-15.6% SL; colour of male in life translucent with a mid-lateral row of five widely separated and progressively shorter posteriorly, horizontal, orange-brown lines, each surrounded by yellowish hue and with a faint, narrow, vertical, brown line extending ventrally, forming overall T-shaped marking; dorsal fins with a pair of prominent stripes, the outermost relatively broad and yellow-orange, inner stripe situated just above fin base, narrower and orange-red with black margin; anal fin yellowish with distinctive black margin; caudal fin is yellowish with irregular translucent areas mainly on upper part of basal half; female similar, but fins translucent without both the distinctive stripes on dorsal fins and black margin on anal fin; series of five ovate, progressively smaller, brown blotches along lower side interspersed with brilliant white markings, beginning at pectoral-fin base, continuing to posterior caudal peduncle (Ref. 116128).