This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D IV or V-I,11 to 14 (usually 13 or 14); A I,21-24 (usually I,22 or 23); pectoral rays 13-15 (usually 14); lateral scales 35-37 (usually 36); predorsal scales 16-18 (usually 16 or 17); total gill rakers on first arch 16-19 (usually 17 or 18); in life, male colour is generally pale blue grey with blackish midlateral stripe

at level of upper pectoral-fin base (sometimes faint on anterior part of body); narrow orange stripe between each scale row on upper half of body; broad, horizontally bluish streak immediately above abdomen; pelvic and anal fins pale yellowish, remaining fins mainly colourless or slightly grey except narrow white margin on second dorsal fin and narrow blackish dorsal and ventral margins on caudal fin (Ref. 79630).