This species is distinguished by the following characters: body color in life whitish to pinkish white, edges of scales brown to reddish-brown, 10 brown bars with dark brown scale edges on body, the first on nape, the odd-numbered bars narrower and more irregular, the last on caudal peduncle broadest; an irregular midlateral yellow line from edge of preopercle to caudal fin base; dark bars below yellow line on body pink with dark red edges; head pink, becoming dark reddish dorsally on snout, with a narrow oblique orange bar below eye, and an arc of small dark brown spots from occiput to above opercle; lips pink, upper with a large red blotch; median fins translucent pinkish grey; rows of small reddish and whitish spots on soft part of dorsal fin; anal fin white basally; central part of caudal fin with reddish dots; pectoral fins transparent with pale pink rays; pelvic fins white; D V,21; A I,17; pectoral rays 17 (15 on right side); 55 lateral line scales; gill rakers 4 + 10; lower jaw projecting, 3 pairs of canine teeth anteriorly in jaws; palatine teeth absent; vomerine teeth in a chevron-shaped patch of 2 rows, the anterior teeth stout and conical; margin of preopercle non serrate; greatest body depth 4.45 in SL; head length (HL) 3.1 in SL; orbit diameter 4.2 in HL; fourth dorsal spine is the longest, 3.95 in HL; caudal fin truncate, becoming slightly rounded on ventral half; pectoral fins 5.05 in SL; pelvic fins just reaching anus, 3.95 in SL (Ref. 79876).