This species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: higher anterior (16-16.5) and posterior (15.5-16) transverse scale counts (vs. <13); without scales on predorsal midline; elongate spines of first dorsal fin absent; fifth pelvic-fin ray branched, 60-64% of fourth ray in length; basal membrane between innermost pelvic-fin rays 61-64% of length of fifth ray; without interorbital or postorbital trough; 24-26 longitudinal scales; body scales gradually increase in size posteriorly with scales on lateral midline largest; ground color of head and body semi-translucent and deep red, a dark grayish brown broken stripe on upper part of opercle when fresh (Ref. 75202).