Juveniles with alternating blue and red stripes and 1or 2 black spots at caudal base (Ref. 4319); adults with greenish to brownish grey color with reddish spots overall; 3-4 pale stripes on side of variable intensity; body elongate, greatest depth 3.1-3.7 in SL; rounded caudal fin; short pelvic fins, not reaching anus (Ref. 90102); head pointed, 2.3-2.5 times in SL; interorbital region narrow, dorsal head profile almost straight; preorbital narrow, depth 14-17 times in HL; snout distinctly longer than eye; rounded preopercle, finely serrate, lower serrae only slightly enlarged, lower edge fleshy; ventral edge of interopercle with a shallow indentation: opercular spines small, upper edge of operculum distinctly convex; maxilla reaches past eye, exposed part covered with tiny cycloid scales; rear end of maxilla without bony process; well developed supramaxilla; palatines without teeth; canines at front of jaws rudimentary or absent (Ref. 89707).