Body with alternating broad red and narrower silvery white stripes (Ref. 4201); red head with 2 vertical white streaks on the opercle, one on its edge and an oblique one below the eye; distinctive reddish-black to black dorsal fin with two white streaks. Five or 6 oblique rows of scales on cheek. Maxilla nearly reaching or extending slightly beyond a vertical at anterior edge of the pupil; upper jaw length 2.75-2.95 in head length. Body depth 2.75-3.25 in SL; head length 2.7-3.15 in SL; snout length 4.0-4.4 in head length; interorbital width 4.4-4.9 in head length; premaxillary groove extending slightly posterior to a vertical at anterior edge of orbit; anterior end of nasal bone rounded; medial margin of nasal bone without spinule; nasal fossa without spinules on its edge; upper edge of suborbital bones below anterior half of eye spineless; small preopercular spine, its length 2-3 times in orbit diameter, 2.85-3.5 in head length; longest 4th dorsal spines, 1.7-2.25 in head length; third anal spine 1.2-1.35 in head length (Ref. 27370).