This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: rear margin of caudal fin slightly convex; without elongated rays; D X,16-17, continuous with the the third spine longest and slightly longer than fourth spine (its length 0.8-1.0 in 4th spine length, 2.1-2.8 in HL); lateral line scales 36-38; auxiliary scales on body none; papillae on rear edge of orbit absent; the basal part of dorsal and anal-fins with low scaly sheath; pectoral-fin rays 18-19, with posterior margin of pectoral-fin rounded, reaching vertical at base of third anal-fin spine; scale rows between lateral line and 5th dorsal fin spine 2½; circumpeduncular scales 19-22; gill rakers 10-11 + 28-29 = 38-39; serrated interopercle and subopercle; small scales on interorbital and pre-dorsal. Colouration: females reddish orange to reddish-pink, dorsum scales usually with a dark green/brown spot; caudal-fin mostly yellowish but sometimes with pinkish blotches/specks medially; a narrow purple streak below eye, originating from the anterior margin of maxilla up to the pectoral-fin base; males are reddish pink above lateral-line with yellow and purple horizontal stripes below it; an inverted heart-shaped pink spot on the interorbital region; caudal-fin is bright pink with narrow yellow band on posterior margin (Ref. 123542).