Description: Characterized by having violet snout and mid-dorsal stripe on head; anterior body pale grey grading to purplish black on posterior half; caudal fin with broad red lobes and central bluish area; fish from Andaman Islands with more vivid violet and duller red portions; longitudinal scale series 135-160; elevated first dorsal fin, not extending beyond anterior one-third of second dorsal fin; posterior body scales with ctenii, usually less than 10; posterior most rays of dorsal and anal fins frequently branched in adult (Ref. 90102).