This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI + I,8, with the first 2 spines filamentous; A I,8; 16 pectoral-fin rays, all unbranched; pelvic fins long, the longest one reaching middle of urogenital papilla, all rays are branched; without pelvic frenum; presence of cephalic sensory-canal pores POP, NA, AITO, PITO, SOT, and AOT; colouration in life light orange-red, each scale with a bright orange-red arc, dorsal-fin and caudal-fin elements with prominent rows of red spots; 2 vertically aligned, well-separated, reddish clusters of chromatophores on pectoral-fin base, each with a blackish mark at center of cluster (Ref. 114856).