This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XI,9; A III,9; pectoral-fin rays 15; pored lateral-line scales 15-17 + 6-8 (+1 over caudal-fin base); median predorsal scales 3-4; cheek with 5 or 6 scales in single row, just below eye; with uniserial row of suborbital pores; gill rakers 13-15. Morphometrics for males in terminal phase: body depth 3.7-3.8 in SL; body width in depth 2.0; head length 3.0-3.4 in SL; first two dorsal-fin spinous membranes are greatly elongated and filamentous, 1.6-3.4 and 1.3-3.0 in SL, respectively; rounded caudal fin with extended upper and lower tips, 1.1-1.3 in HL; pelvic fins greatly elongated and broadly fan-like, reaching posteriorly to about middle of anal fin, 2.0-2.1 in SL; upper head and body bright red to red-orange, divided from whitish lower head and body by a usually unbroken, bluish to lavender full-length stripe; anterior part of dorsal fin reddish, rear of fin dark basally and yellowish distally (variable extent of yellow on fin), divided mid-way out by a dark-outlined blue stripe breaking into spots (after a variable distance) posteriorly; caudal fin with blue-green sheen and numerous small bluish spots and lines; anal fin is reddish to dark with an often incomplete row of bluish spots near base of fin; pelvic fins are greatly elongated and mostly red on outer portion and mostly black on inner rays, with black streaks typically extending full length, with black fin tips (Ref. 114940).