This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: head depressed, its maximum depth 65.5-71.6% of its maximum width; the body and caudal peduncle elongate, their depths 13.8-14.5% SL, at anal fin origin and 11.4-12.2% SL, respectively; longitudinal scales 40-43; vertebrae 10 + 16 = 26; D1 VI, low in males, not extending posteriorly to origin of D2 when adpressed; fifth pelvic-fin segmented ray usually divided into 5 branches at its first (most proximal) segmenting point; naked pectoral-fin base and prepelvic area; belly with small cycloid scales except forthe narrow area around ventral midline; cheek with sensory-papillae rows arranged longitudinally, no transverse rows. Colouration: pectoral fin base with a distinct dull orange oval spot; temporal region with 2 orange stripes, reaching posteriorly to, or around, a vertical through origin of second dorsal fin; caudal fin of males with 4 vertical rows of bright orange dots, in females, a pair of vertically-arranged, rounded or rectangular black blotches at the base when alive or freshly collected (Ref. 123096).