On large males, head and shoulders are gold, as are the fins. Scales on rest of body are deep green or aqua, ringed in gold. Red streaks or spots around pectoral fins. Blue mouth. Females and small males are mostly green with small patches of gold on the head and fins. Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9. Fins dull orange with tongues of green extending into the dorsal and anal; margins of median fins blue; dental plates blue-green. There appears to be no obvious difference in color with sex