Color
Juveniles similar in color to initial phase, some with narrow white stripe from front of snout to upper caudal fin base, and may have second narrower and more irregular stripe from corner of mouth to lower caudal fin base; Small dark spot at upper caudal-fin base, one at rear dorsal fin base, and one at rear base of anal fin, this lost at 38-59 mm SL.
Initial phase with upper half of body greenish to brownish grey, lower half with dark-edged, longitudinal white lines, uppermost at ventral edge of pectoral fin base largest and brightest; Dark-edged, bluish white line from upper lip across head just below eye to pectoral fin base; Much narrower parallel line through upper part of eye; Small blue-edged dark spot at rear dorsal fin base; Smaller spot on caudal-fin base.
Terminal male yellowish to greyish brown on dorsal half of body, abruptly white ventrally, with dark-edged bluish white line from front of snout through upper part of eye, encircling small black spot dorsally on opercular flap, and continuing to middle of caudal fin; Dark-edged white line from upper lip to above pectoral fin base; Narrow bright red area anterior to pectoral fin base, continuing faintly below white line on opercle; Small, pale-edged, blackish spot above midlateral line on caudal fin base.