The fish has 26–27 and 24–26 dorsal and anal fin rays, respectively, and no longitudinal grooves on the cheeks. The body is adorned with yellow/pale blue spots and yellow reticulations. The coloration ranges from grey-brown to olivaceous on the back, pale below, with small pale blue or yellow spots dorsally and larger yellow spots ventrally. There are three large white blotches on the back, which tend to disappear in larger specimens. The soft dorsal and anal fins feature yellow, slightly oblique stripes, while the pectoral fins are yellow.