Stiphodon pulchellus (Herre, 1927) is redescribed based on 29 specimens collected in the Philippines. In addition, a neotype is designated using a specimen collected by Herre near the type locality (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental) and identified by him. Stiphodon olivaceus Watson & Kottelat, 1995 is considered to be a junior synonym of S. pulchellus. Despite being strikingly similar to Stiphodon imperiorientis, S. pulchellus can be distinguished by the size, number, and arrangement of black spots on pectoral-fin rays.