This species of the maccullochi group of rainbowfishes is distinguished by the following set of characters: D IV-VI-I,11 to 13 (usually 11); A I-II,16–19 (usually I,18-19); pectoral rays 12-14 (usually 13-14); lateral scales 32-34 (usually 34); gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch 15-17. Colour in life brownish dorsally and white ventrally with mid-lateral blackish stripe from eye to caudal-fin base, narrow red stripe between each scale row of body, and orange scale margins (Ref. 87110).