Common amongst Labrisomids: small, often elongate fishes; largest species about 20 cm standard length, most under 10 cm standard length. Head usually with cirri or fleshy flaps on anterior nostrils, eyes, and laterally on nape; gill membranes continuous with each other across posteroventral surface of head. Each jaw with an outer row of relatively large, canine-like or incisor-like teeth, often with patches of smaller teeth behind; teeth usually also present on vomer and often on palatines (roof of mouth). Dorsal and anal fins long, frequently highest anteriorly; dorsal-fin spines often flexible, outnumbering segmented dorsal-fin soft rays; 2 usually flexible spines in anal fin; pelvic fins inserted anterior to pectoral-fin bases, with 1 spine not visible externally and only 2 or 3 segmented rays; all fin rays, including those of caudal, unbranched (simple). Cycloid (smooth to touch) scales present at least posteriorly on body. Body coloration: varying from drab to brilliant hues; usually with irregular vertical bands, spots, or marbled pattern. Species distinguished by: no lateral-line tubes or canals on body; dorsal fin consisting of spines and 7 to 37 segmented rays (Ref.52855).

This species differs H. dropi in having 31 dorsal-fin elements (vs. 29), the differences occurring in the third spinous dorsal finlet and soft dorsal fin (III-I-XIII, 12 in H. dropi , III-I-XIII, 14 or III-I-XIV, 13 in H. apectolophus); this species have much more pigment on the ventral portion of the body than there is dorsally, and there are no obvious internal or external blotches of pigment; the first dorsal finlet is uniformly dark and both the spinous and soft parts of the dorsal fin are peppered with fine melanophores in no apparent pattern; basal three-quarters of anal fin are heavily and uniformly pigmented, and the distal quarter is pale; caudal and pectoral fins lack melanophores; fleshly flap extending from anterior margin and covering anterior half of nostril; body depth 17.9% SL, at fourth dorsal spine and depth at caudal peduncle 9.1% SL (Ref. 93751).