This speces is distinguished from all its congeners by the following set of characters: D X,15-16; pectoral-fin rays 14; lateral line complete, pored scales 30; scale rows above lateral line 3; diagonal rows of large scales on cheek between eye and corner of preopercle 6; antrorse spines on ventral margin of preopercle 2; margins of subopercle and interopercle smooth; its body depth 33.5-34.7% of SL, its width 17.2-17.4% of SL; third dorsal-fin spine longest, with length 46.2-47.2% of HL; caudal-peduncle depth 58.0-63.2% of caudal-peduncle length. Colouration: when fresh: body pinkish-white with five orange-red bands on lateral surface, first band broadest, first, fourth and fifth bands vertical to body longitudinal axis, second and third bands slightly backwardly oblique; small poorly defined yellow blotches scattered below the lateral line, especially along red bands; scales above lateral line white, with distinct red margins; most cheek scales white or yellowish-white, without distinct red or yellow margins; when preserved, body uniformly pale, with reduced nape pigmentation (Ref. 138292).

Description: Body moderately elongate, laterally compressed. Vertebrae 9 +17; Caudal fin emarginate, Mouth terminal, Small teeth in two irregular rows on palatines, three on vomer (forming depressed V-shape); tongue slender, edentate; Villiform teeth in upper jaw arranged in about eight rows anteriorly and about four rows posteriorly; inner medial depressible teeth at front of upper jaw very long, slender; a pair of inwardly curved canine teeth on anterior part of upper jaw; symphyseal gap 10.8% (10.9–11.9%) in HL. About six rows of small conical teeth anteriorly on lower jaw, narrowing to about three rows posteriorly; inner row teeth on mid-lateral part of lower jaw about three times size of those in outer row, inwardly depressible; a pair of large inwardly curved canine teeth on central part of lower jaw (Ref. 138292).