This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D VI+I,9-10 (usually 9), with second dorsal-fin spine forming an elongate filament extending to between base of fourth and last segmented dorsal-fin ray when adpressed; A I,8–9 (usually 9); pectoral-fin rays 18; relatively broad interorbital (75-91% pupil diameter); 10-12 papillae in posterior transverse interorbital row; the upper part of opercle with about 10-12 scales arranged in 3 or 4 transverse rows; pelvic without frenum. Colour when fresh is generally yellow (including iris, except opercle, upper part of cheek, and area

immediately behind eye sometimes pinkish); head, body, and fins covered with numerous pepper-like melanophores, most prominent on side of body; fins yellow, except pelvic fins translucent; second dorsal fin, caudal fin, and anal fin with blue margin, widest on anal fin; dorsal fins with narrow blue stripe at base, second dorsal fin also with longitudinal row of blue spots just above stripe; filamentous extension of second dorsal-fin spine blue (Ref. 118649).