This species is distinguished by the following characters: D IX,11; A III,11; pectoral rays 14 (rarely 15); lateral-line scales 50-52 (+1); scaleless head; gill rakers 19-22; a pair of large, strongly projecting, slightly recurved canine teeth anteriorly in each jaw, the upper pair slightly out-flaring, the lowers fitting between uppers when mouth closed; body depth 3.25-3.55 in SL; caudal fin truncate to slightly rounded; short pelvic fins, 1.4-1.6 in head length; body colour of adults pale blue to blue-green, the scale centers whitish, especially on abdomen, 6 dusky orange bars dorsally on body, much broader than whitish interspaces, 2 small bars on nape; broadest bar below fourth to eighth dorsal spines, curving posteriorly in its lower part; head pale green with oblique pink bands; an ocellated black spot between first and second soft rays of dorsal fin; a black spot at upper base of pectoral fin, continuing as a narrowing line across base; juveniles light blue-green with scattered small red spots, larger and more numerous on postorbital head and anterior body; a second smaller ocellus posteriorly in dorsal fin; a blackish stripe on side of snout (Ref. 93522).
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