Characterized by pale grey body color for Pacific fish with row of large orange spots on side, a series of dash-like markings below, smaller orange spots on back and blue to whitish streaks or spots on head; Indian Ocean fish with pale blue-grey body color with orange stripe across lower head, cheeks with blue markings and orange bars on side connected to pale orange stripe on lower half; third dorsal spine, longest, filamentous in juveniles under 40 mm SL; rounded caudal fin, 3.0-4.2 in SL; longitudinal scale series 79-91; ctenoid body scales, becoming cycloid anteriorly before first dorsal fin, on lower side, and midline of abdomen; head or midline of nape without scales; side of nape with scales extending forward to above middle of operculum; scaleless pectoral fin base; partly to fully scaled prepelvic area; depth of body 4.8-6.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).