This species is distinguished from all its congeners by the following set of characters: D2 I,10; A I,10; pectoral fin rays 18-19; D1 with fourth and/or fifth spines longest in male; interval between first- and second-dorsal-fin bases in male less than 1/3 of the length of the first-dorsal-fin base; cephalic sensory pore D single; preopercular sensory canal with two pores, M’ and O’; enlarged lobes or projections in front of the urogenital papilla of male absent; lateral scales reaching anteriorly beyond the area below the origin of the first dorsal fin; male scales with large, spike-like ctenii laterally on the trunk. Colouratiion of male: with two broad red bands on the posterior part of the body, three black vertical lines on grey or light-blue belly, grey or greyish-brown head without red marking, second dorsal fin being reddish brown proximally and white distally, a black spot at anterior part of second dorsal fin, and anal fin white with obscure reddish-brown base (Ref. 125534).