This species is distinguished by the following characters: 2½ scales above lateral line to midbase of spinous portion of dorsal fin; origin of anal fin is beneath soft portion of dorsal fin; upper procurrent spiniform caudal-fin rays 5 and lower rays 4; D XII,12, last spine shortest; A V,9 (holotype appears aberrant in having a fifth anal-fin spine); pectoral-fin rays 16; patch of teeth on vomer V-shaped; head length 2.45 in SL; dorsal profile of head nearly straight, becoming slightly convex on nape; lateral-line scales 27; gill rakers 8 + 15; maxilla not reaching a vertical at posterior margin of orbit; depth of body 2.35 in SL; snout length 4.45 in HL; caudal peduncle very slender 5.05 in HL; colour when fresh is solid red, the centers of scales lighter red than edges (Ref. 114923).