This species is distinguished by the following characters: chin with 6 pores, no median pit; gill rakers on first gill arch 7-9 + 1 + 17-20 = 26-29; Dorsal XII (rarely XIII), 19-22, 3rd-5th spines longest; lips fleshy, moderately swollen with age; scales ctenoid (rough to touch); lateral line tubed scales about 54-60; body depth 2.6-2.9 in SL; caudal fin rounded to slightly emarginate. Colour: brown to yellowish grey with 5 to 9 fairly narrow grey or white longitudinal stripes outlined with dark brown on body and continuing around snout; fins yellow, soft dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins with darker stripes disappearing with age; eye and lips yellowish; mouth, tongue, and gill rakers scarlet; chin white; juveniles have fins striped and fewer stripes on body (Ref. 47695, 90102).