This wrasse is one of the most colourful fishes found in SA waters. The male is particularly striking, green in colour with thick red stripes outlined in neon blue. The female is slightly more muted, with an greenish orange to red colouration and pale underside. It also has neon blue markings, but these are smaller and less noticeable than the male. While the male is unmistakable, the female has some similarities with some other wrasse or weed whiting species, such as the Herring Cale (Olisthops cyanomelas), Snakeskin Wrasse (Eupetrichthys angustipes) or Castlenau's wrasse (Dotalabrus aurantiacus). However, the neon blue markings, bullet-like snout and robust body helps to differentiate from these species.
