This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XIII,14-15; A II,14-16 (usually 15); pectoral-fin rays 16-18 (usually 17); tubed lateral-line scales 16-19 (usually 17-18); total gill rakers on first arch 20-23 (rarely 20); body depth 1.9-2.1 (mean 2.0) in SL; no scales on preorbital and suborbital; lower margin of suborbital series with 7-13 serrae. Colouration: when alive, pale lavender to bluish gray on upper two-thirds of body and dorsal head, otherwise yellowish including fins; small blue spots on body scales, large lavender spots and bands on side of head, greenish spot on upper opercle near lateral-line origin, small blackish spot at base of uppermost pectoral-fin rays, and blue to lavender stripes and spots on dorsal and anal fins; a distinct ocellus on the rear dorsal fin in both juveniles and adults (Ref. 123826).