It has an elongated and posteriorly compressed body. Eye features a dorsal iris flap composed of numerous elongate strands extending ventrally. The snout is pointed and the lower jaw extends with a fleshy projection beyond the upper jaw. Dorsal fin is singular and continuous, with V to VII spines and 39 to 41 soft rays. Anal fin has I spine and 34 to 36 soft rays. The lateral-line scales number 52 to 55. In males, the coloration is generally whitish with approximately 10 brown bars on the side and smaller saddles or spots on the back between bars. Body and median fins exhibit longitudinal rows of small blue to white spots. Females on the other hand, are whitish with a pair of longitudinal rows of blue to brown spots along with a blackish spot on the anterior part of the dorsal fin.