The fish has an oblong, deep, and compressed body with a conspicuous spine at the angle of the preopercle. The posterior margin of the preopercle is finely serrated, and the subopercle is smooth. The dorsal fin has 13–14 spines and 17–19 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 17–18 soft rays. The caudal fin is slightly rounded. In terms of color, the body is grey-yellowish with darker scale centers, a yellow “ear” spot above the gill opening, a bright yellow caudal fin, and black dorsal and anal fins with a white or blue margin.