Distinguished by the following characters: lower edge of lachrymal with 2 sharp preorbital spines; no suborbital spines; parietal spine present; upper edge of lachrymal with a small ridge; soft anal fin rays 6 (rarely 5); pectoral fin rays 16 (rarely 17); lower 7 (rarely 8) pectoral fin rays unbranched; black blotch on opercle not extending to subopercle; body red with indistinct crimson marks when fresh; blackish region of oral cavity extending to posterior edge of prevomer and palatine; tongue black (Ref. 58305).