This species is distinguished by the following characters: body moderately deep, its depth 2.3-2.5 times in standard length; head length 0.8-1.0 times in body depth, 2.5-2.8 times in SL, dorsal profile near eye nearly straight or slightly convex; snout moderately short, its length about 1.9-2.2 times in head length, measured without the lip the snout is 0.9-1.0 times in cheek height, its dorsal profile concave, snout angle relative to upper jaw between 53° and 64°; interorbital space convex or almost flat; posterior nostril an oblong longitudinal opening, closer to orbit than anterior nostril; eye situated close to or slightly removed from dorsal profile, its length 3.3-4.6 times in HL; cheek moderately high, its height 2.1-2.7 times in HL; lateral teeth in jaws of adults molars or rounded; outer surface of maxilla usually smooth; D X,9, the 4th or 5th dorsal-fin spine the longest, its length 2.7-3.3 times in body depth; A III,8 with the 3rd, 4th or 5th soft ray usually the longest, its length much longer than length of base of soft-rayed portion of anal fin and 0.7-1 times in length of entire anal-fin base; pectoral-fin rays 13; pelvic-fin membranes between rays closest to body without dense melanophores; cheek without scales; 44-46 lateral-line scales; 4 ½ scale rows between lateral line and base of middle dorsal-fin spines; 15-17 scale rows in transverse series between origin of anal fin and lateral line; usually 15 rows in lower series of scales around caudal peduncle; 5-9 scales in supratemporal patch; inner surface of pectoral-fin base densely covered with scales; posterior angle of operculum fully scaly. Colour of head and body brown or rust red, lighter ventrally; sometimes 2 light bars on caudal peduncle; area around eye, a broad streak from eye to tip of snout, lips, and base of pectoral fins red; all fins reddish, often a bright red or orange (Ref. 114226).