This species is unique in having the following set of characters: one-third pupil diameter black ocellated spot on and just behind the fourth dorsal fin spine; fins rays in dorsal 9, anal 8, pectoral 18-19, with the middle ones branched; a single branch point in the fifth pelvic fin ray, about 60-70% the length of the fourth and a basal membrane about 10-20% the length of the fourth ray;10-11 anterior and 8-9 posterior transverse scale rows; 5-10 scales in the predorsal midline, no scales on cheek and a single row of 3 scales on the upper margin of the opercle; a shallow interorbital trench with no trench posterodorsal to the orbit; freshly collected specimens are orange red in overall colouration, with scattered diffuse yellow spots (Ref. 87358).