This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XI,9; A III,9 except holotype with III,8; pectoral-fin rays 14-15; lateral line interrupted with 16-17 + 6-8 scales; median predorsal scales 4-5; 2 horizontal scale rows on cheek below eye; gill rakers 15; body depth 29-34% SL; head length 29-36% SL; snout length 9-11% SL; caudal fin of terminal-phase (TP) male is broadly lanceolate, i.e. rhomboidal with an extension of central rays; pelvic fins are relatively short, not reaching anal-fin origin when depressed; colour of TP male in life orange-yellow dorsally suffusing to lavender ventrally; a bright pink-to-purplish stripe at rest and dead, but blue in life and especially when displaying, extending posteriorly from upper orbit across head before making an oblique downward slant behind pectoral-fin base, and then continuing just below mid-lateral line to base of caudal fin; a prominent long mid-dorsal-fin basal dark spot, with a mostly lavender blotch on upper body below spot; colour of initial-phase fish mainly uniformly orange with faint stripes along dorsum and weak manifestation of medial stripe (Ref. 108439).