This species is distinguished by the following characters: D V,21; A I,17; 14-16 (rarely 14 or 16) pectoral rays; 45-51 lateral-line scales; about 4 predorsal scales; ctenoid scales on cheek, in 5-6 horizontal rows; 3-4 + 8-10 gill rakers; front of lower jaw with 8 canine teeth; with palatine teeth; upper edge of subopercle with a prominent sharp spine; middle dorsal spine longest; membrane from last dorsal spine joined to base of first soft ray; body pale greenish to pale yellow dorsally, white below, with a series of 5 broad double dark bars on back, smaller posteriorly; lower part of body with a series of 9 bars, the top of each with a short blackish dash; a black line runs from the front of upper lip to eye, sometimes with 1-3 iridescent pale blue lines on snout and cheek below eye; 2 rows of black dots from behind eye along back to about middle of body, 1 row just above and the other just below lateral line; rear of cheek and lower opercle with black dots, often continuing in irregular rows anteriorly on body; first dorsal fin with a large dusky to dark brown spot at base, and often a submarginal dark brown or red line (or combined dark brown and red) (Ref. 57562).