This species possess the following characters: vomerine teeth in a diamond-shaped patch; tongue with a patch of minute teeth; dorsal spines and rays not prolonged; caudal fin slightly emarginate in females, truncate in males; pectoral fins strongly pointed, extending to above origin of anal fin. Colour of females orange-red with corners of caudal fin bluish white; anterior base of soft portion of dorsal fin with a faint dusky blotch; males pink with irregular yellow bands, corners of caudal fin pale lavender-pink; subadults with narrow blackish bars and are most evident on posterior half of the body (Ref. 86689).