This species is distinguished by the following characters: D IX,11 (12); A nal-fin rays III,11; pectoral-fin rays 13; lateral-line scales 27 (+1 on caudal-fin base), single small pore per scale; suborbital pores 6-7; gill rakers 19-21; each jaw with a single pair of large, projecting, and slightly recurved canine teeth located anteriorly, the lowers curving forward and fitting between uppers when mouth closed, second canines about half size of first, followed by rows of mostly caniniform teeth, without canine posteriorly at corner of mouth; body elongated, body depth 4.5-5.0 in SL; body width 1.7-2.3 in depth; caudal fin is slightly rounded to truncate in IP. Colouration: color pattern of IP with yellow stripes on a pale background, on holotype three lateral stripes and a fourth along dorsal-fin base, on paratype two midlateral stripes plus dorsalfin base stripe; large black blotch on caudal peduncle and caudal-fin base, saddle-like in paratype and larger specimens; a small black spot at upper rim of pectoral-fin base; fins translucent except yellow band along distal dorsal fin and posterior margin of caudal fin. Colouration of TP male unknown (Ref. 110243).