This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D VI-I, 16; A I, 17; pectoral rays 17-18; scales in longitudinal series 63-68; without scales on head, nape, or prepectoral area; ctenoid scales posteriorly, cycloid anterior to base of sixth dorsal spine; males with elongate body (depth 6.9 in SL), females stouter (depth 5.2-5.3 in SL); gill opening extending forward nearly to a vertical at posterior edge of orbit; dorsal spines progressively longer to third (at least 3.65-4.0 in SL); caudal fin long and pointed (1.9-2.2 in SL); pectoral fins in male reaching to above anal fin origin, or to anus in females, 4.2-4.4 in SL; pelvic fins do not reach base of first anal soft ray (4.1 in SL); distinct colour pattern features of males include a mid-dorsal, neon blue stripe on head, irregular orange spots, bars, and bands on cheek, operculum, and adjacent pectoral fin base, a pair of broad brownish-orange stripes on dorsal half of body edged with pair of narrower stripe of pale blue (clearly evident anteriorly, but becoming diffuse or forming clusters of scattered blue spot/flecks on posterior half ), a dark brown to subtle light brown orange spot (sometimes greatly reduced) on first dorsal fin between second and fifth spines, a dark submarginal stripe on posterior two-thirds of anal fin, and small orange spots covering pelvic fin; females similar, but markings on side less vivid and with distinctive brownish to bright orange yellow spot narrowing distally to middle of fin (Ref. 75784).