Diagnosis: 21-24 rakers on first gill arch; when stressed with two continuous dark bands on body; 1st dorsal fin spine 30-35% length of fifth spine; caudal fin truncate to subtruncate; dorsal head profile straight; iris yellow to brownish, posterior half sometimes red; upper lip white or pale blue; anterior 2-3 dorsal fin spines with black interspinous membrane in juveniles (Ref. 81260).

Description: relatively robust when adult (body depth 34.2-39.2%, mean 36.1% SL); snout long; predorsal profile rises steeply over eyes, smoothly convex to dorsal fin origin; caudal peduncle usually deeper than long; hypobranchial and ceratobranchial rakers markedly tuberculate, epibranchial rakers lanceolate; some dorsal and anal fin rays elongated; caudal subtruncate in adults of both sexes (Ref. 81260).

Coloration: similar to C. g. guntheri, but often with more pronounced maculation of the dorsal fin membrane (Ref. 81260).