Characterized by orange-red color with six brown saddles/bars on side with pale areas in between; head, body and fins with small blue spots; body scales ctenoid, including abdomen; greatest depth of body 2.6-3.1 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins, 1.9-2.3 in head length (Ref. 90102); interorbital area flat to slightly convex; dorsal head profile of large specimens distinctly concave above eyes; rounded preopercle, finely serrate in young, virtually smooth in large adults, lower edge fleshy; small serrae in subopercle and interopercle mostly hidden by skin; scaly maxilla, reaching past eye (Ref. 089707).