This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: pectoral-fin rays 15-16 (modally 16); gill rakers 18-20 total with 10-11 elongate rakers plus 2-4 short, stout rudiments on lower limb, 3-4 elongate rakers plus 1-3 rudiments on upper limb. Colouration when alive: body mostly yellow to tan with bright iridescent blue coloration on eye, dorsal portion of head, nape and dorsal portion of trunk beneath the spinous-dorsal fin; an oblique yellow bar from tip of snout to orbit and below eye; a large, round, black blotch outlined with blue below anterior origin of dorsal fin; a dark ocellus outlined in blue with yellow or dark center at rear insertion of dorsal fin that extends onto body (Ref. 119366).