Dorsal spines (total): 9, first two spines without long filaments (filament of first spine ⅓–½ length of spine); Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12 (usually: 11); Anal spines: 3, first two spines with long filaments; Anal soft rays: 9; Pectoral fin rays: 14-17 (rarely: 17); Lateral line scales: 16-18 + 4-6; Horizontal rows of scales on cheek: 2; Gill rakers: 12-18 (usually: 16). Body moderately deep: 2.5-2.9 in SL; Head long: 2.6-2.9 in SL, proportionately shorter with growth; Snout pointed, moderately long: 2.8-3.5 in HL; Upper jaw with 3 pairs of small canines at front, followed on each side by large, recurved, outflaring canine, and one pair anteriorly on lower jaw. Preopercle with membranous flap at angle, margin above flap usually finely serrate for about half its length. Eye with modified scleral cornea forming a double pupil. Preopercular margin smooth. Lateral line interrupted; Head scaled except interorbital, snout and ventrally; A sheath of scales at base of dorsal and anal fins. Caudal fin slightly rounded: 3.7-4.0 in SL. Max. length: 10.0 cm TL. Depth range: 1 - 35 m.

Color
Upper two-thirds of body with six alternating dark blue stripes alternating with yellow orange; Lower part of body purplish orange; Caudal fin green; A small blue-edged black spot on upper part of caudal peduncle near caudal-fin base. Two small blackish spots anteriorly on lower lip.