This species is distinguished by the following characters: chin with 6 pores, no median pit; gill rakers on first gill arch 9-12 + 1 + 18-21 = 28-33; D XIII,18-21, 3rd-5th spines longest; lips fleshy, moderately swollen with age; scales ctenoid (rough to touch); lateral line tubed scales about 53-58; body depth 2.7-2.8 in SL; caudal rounded or lanceolate in juveniles, becoming truncate or emarginate in adults. Colour of body and head bright blue-green to sky blue with 5 to 7 bright yellow longitudinal bands often separated by thinner yellow bands or lines of spots; fins bright yellow to orange; juveniles similar to adults, but with fewer bands (Ref. 47695, 90102).