The fish has an elongate and strongly compressed body, with a higher anterior portion than posterior. The body depth at the level of the pectoral fin base is less than 10 times the standard length, usually ranging from 7 to 9. It features 17 pectoral fin rays, 9–10 unbranched caudal fin rays, and a total of 60–67 caudal vertebrae. In terms of coloration, the fish is overall pale red with numerous faint yellow narrow vertical bands on the sides when fresh. There is a large reddish to black oblong blotch on the dorsal fin between the 9th and 14th rays. The iris is red, and the median and paired fins range from red to pale red.