This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: : colouration when alive, in particular the two rows of orange rhomboid-shaped polygons on the lateral part of the body and an elongated yellow and white third dorsal spine; D X,16; pectoral-fin rays 14, all unbranched; vertebrae 10 + 16; continuous lateral line with 27-30 tubed scales; circumpeduncular scales 10-11; preopercle without antrorse spines (Ref. 122130).