This species with an orbital cirrus and no red banner is distinguished by the following characters: TP territorial males found in holes with a black head; the anterior dorsal fin black, with a short, thin, white margin reaching back to second membrane; the first two membranes well incised; first dorsal-fin spine relatively short, when adpressed reaching to about 5th-6th spine base, about 1/2 HL, the third and fourth spines are also shorter, subsequent spines rising to midfin spines (Ref. 125603).

Dark-shaded and transitional TP with a relatively short first dorsal-fin spine, the second spine usually equal, with third spine about 2/3 of first, the fourth spine less than 1/2 first spine, and tenth spine about equal to first, profile of anterior dorsal fin with a moderate concavity, decreasing during transition; the first three dorsal-fin membranes white tipped, tips rounded and membranes incised; usually distinct large head spots; a prominent characteristic black spot a third way along the lower lip; without dense speckling of dorsal-fin and pectoral-fin membranes; row of dark spots along lateral midline adsent, no rows of dark spots along proximal spinous-dorsal-fin membranes, and no opercular bands or lines (Ref. 125603).

IP with elongated first two dorsal-fin spines, the first spine when adpressed reaching to base of 5th-8th spine base, the second spine about equal, the third about 2/3 of first, first two membranes with white rounded tips. Colouration: live colors greenish blue and gold; the cranial pattern of bluish spots and reticulations with a greenish gold background; IP head spots are usually reduced; melanophores near pectoral-fin base with a short oblique band to none (Ref. 125603)