Characterized by yellowish white to pale mauve body color; blue-edged orange stripe on cheek extending along lower side to base of caudal fin; presence of pair of orange-brown stripes on back; caudal fin with dark margin and white submarginal band; juvenile has yellow stripe on midside and pair of dark stripes on back; rhomboid caudal fin; length of caudal fin 3.1-3.6 in SL; longitudinal scale series 63-92; ctenoid body scales, becoming cycloid anteriorly below first dorsal fin and on abdomen; head or midline of nape without scales; side of nape partly scaled with patch extending forward to above posterior edge of preopercle; partly or fully scaled pectoral-fin base in adult; usually scaled prepelvic area in adult; depth of body 5.5-6.3 in SL (Ref. 90102).