This species in the Bicolor Group is distinguished by the following characters: D 28 total dorsal-fin elements (XII,16); cirri on both anterior and posterior rims of anterior naris; multiple vertical pairs of lateral-line pores. Colouration: when alive, gray to brown dorsally on head and anterior one-third to one-half of body grading to orange at about level of junction of spinous and soft-dorsal fin, a black stripe about pupil width from behind eye to below junction of spinous and soft-dorsal fin, overlying a distinct white stripe along mid-side that is usually narrower than pupil diameter and extends farther posteriorly, to level of posterior dorsal-fin segmented rays; absence of a pinkish-to-orange diagonal band behind eye, but if present, very faint (Ref. 120749).