In their terminal phase, males of this species display a dark bluish-green coloration, often appearing blackish. They commonly feature a pale green bar behind the pectoral fin, followed by one or more indistinct pale bars on the side. Additionally, males exhibit elongated anterior dorsal-fin spines.Females, on the other hand, have a pale greyish coloration anteriorly with small dark spots. Posteriorly, they appear dark grey with a white bar separating the two areas.Juveniles of this species are whitish and adorned with small black spots on the head and anterior body. They also have two ocelli on the dorsal fin, each accompanied by a large orange to reddish semi-circular marking below. Additionally, there is a black spot on the upper part of the caudal peduncle.