This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: predorsal scales 5-6 ; second spine of first dorsal fin elongate and filamentous; middle 9-15 (of 19) rays of pectoral fin branched; fifth pelvic-fin ray branched, 72-90% of fourth ray in length; height of connecting membrane between innermost pelvic-fin rays 28% of length of fifth ray; interorbital and postorbital trenches deep; longitudinal scales 22-23; opercular scales absent; ground color of head and body pale lilac, 3 vivid yellow longitudinal stripes on body and vertical fins, when fresh a large rounded dark brown blotch posterodorsally to base of pectoral fin (Ref. 75857).