This species is distinguished from all its congeners by having the following set of characters: D2 I,10; A I,10; pectoral fin rays 18-19; D1 with fourth and/or fifth spines longest in males; interval between first- and second-dorsal-fin bases in male less than 1/3 of the length of the first-dorsal-fin base; cephalic sensory pore D single; preopercular sensory canal with two pores, M’ and O’; absence of enlarged lobes or projections in front of the urogenital papilla of male; lateral scales reaching anteriorly beyond the area below the origin of the first dorsal fin; scales with large, spike-like ctenii laterally on the trunk in male. Colouration of male with a red head, a broad red band between bases of posterior half of second dorsal and anal fins, and red second dorsal and anal fins with a submarginal black stripe and a transparent margin (Ref. 125534).