Distinguished by the following characteristics: small, slender-bodied; first dorsal fin VI, low, rounded and spines never filamentous ; second dorsal rays I/8; anal rays I/8-9; pectoral rays 16-19 (modally 18); longitudinal scales 47-50 (modally 48); TR 15-16 (modally 16); PreD 0-19 (modally 0); small ctenoid scales on body; (modally 48); predorsal area covered with cycloid scales in female, usually naked in male; naked on cheek, operculum, prepelvic region and pectoral base region; three horizontal blackish brown stripes on cheek and preoperculum; both sexes in adults with thin red lines at their upper and lower lip; adult male with caudal fin membrane yellow and distinct black margin; both sexes with caudal fin membrane having 3-5 vertical black lines (Ref. 94983).