The preopercle corner features a long and sharp spine. Final dorsal fin spine is the shortest, positioned equidistantly between the penultimate spine and the first soft ray. The nasal fossa exhibits one (occasionally two) spinules on the anterior margin and there are 38–43 lateral line scales. The cheek has five scale rows. In terms of coloration, both the head and body are red without stripes with scales having a posterior rim of silvery white. Additionally, there is a saddle-like silvery white spot dorsally on the caudal peduncle. In life, the posterior third of the body may display a silvery white coloration.