Diagnosis: Dorsal rays VI+I,13; anal rays 1,14; pectoral rays 19; pelvic fins joined at base by a very short membrane, without a frenum; fifth pelvic ray longest, branched once, the branches not separated. Longitudinal scale series 81; median predorsal scales extending to above middle of preopercle. Gill opening extending forward to a vertical about one-half orbit diameter behind eye. Mouth moderately large, the maxilla reaching to between verticals at posterior edge of pupil and rear edge of orbit. Body depth about 5.5 in SL; head length 3.75 in SL; the upper jaw length 2.5 in HL; third dorsal spine longest, 2.25 in HL; caudal fin pointed and long, 2.4 in SL. Body pale tan (under magnification yellow with small pale blue spots), shading to white ventrally, with a narrow brownish red bar from nape onto opercle and four more on body, each on body in centre of a diffuse light brown bar the edges of which are darker yellowish brown on about ventral half of each bar; upper half of each pale interspace with four or five small dark brown spots, an oblique dark brown line behind upper half of eye; a vertically elongate dark brown spot extending upward from posterior end of maxilla; dorsal fins dusky yellow with irregular dark-edged blue spots; a bright yellow spot distally on each soft dorsal membrane, rimmed below by a black-edged blue arc; anal fin with a white band at base; caudal fin with blue rays, yellow membranes with brownish red lines, and a brownish red arc at base (Ref. 57552).