This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: A 8; pectoral-fin rays 17-18 (modally 17); scale rows above lateral line 5, between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 4-5 (5) and between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 4-6 (5); scales on preopercular region 11-22 (mean 15.4); postorbital length 18.1-19.2 (18.7) % SL; males with elongated parietal spine, relatively narrow, strongly falcate posterodorsally, its tip reaching third to seventh dorsal-fin spine bases. Colouration: a blotch above pectoral-fin base and blotches on pectoral-fin membrane are relatively small; males with yellowish median fins and yellow pectoral fin (Ref. 97684).