This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI+I,10-11; A I,8-9 (usually 9); head and body naked; body slightly compressed and relatively elongate (body depth at pelvic-fin origin 36-40% SL), dorso-ventrally symmetrical; distance between D1 insertion and dorsal insertion of pectoral-fin 53-71% of head length; rounded head with upper lip curved; small mouth, upper jaw extending to anterior margin of the eye; groove between isthmus and interopercle absent; caudal peduncle deep (minimal depth 16.3-17.9% SL); caudal fin relatively short (21.7-23.2% SL). Colour of juveniles and subadults light greenish or reddish with 5 vertical blue lines on head while adults are usually uniformly orange-red or dark red, sometimes with remnants of lines on the head but always with 2 distinct bluish lines through the eyes, sometimes extending ventrally to suborbital area; dorsal and anal fin usually with a narrow light bluish band along bases, fading with growth (Ref. 94082).