This species is characterized by a body depth of 2.3–2.6 times in standard length, with the snout length about 2.0–2.5 times in head length. The lateral teeth in the jaws are rounded with points or molars, and the inner surface of the pectoral fin base is densely scaled. Cheeks are scaleless. The body is dusky whitish, lighter below, with 5–6 yellow-orange stripes. The posterior edge of the opercle and preopercle is bright red, with the former being more conspicuous. The head is brown or tan, sometimes featuring a red spot on the lower front edge of the eye. The pectoral fins are orangish, while the pelvic and anal fins, and most of the dorsal fin, are whitish. The edges of the dorsal and caudal fins are reddish.