This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: cephalic sensory-canal pore pattern group 2, missing only is the IT pore; dorsal/anal ray formula 9/8; some pectoral-fin rays are branched; absence of the fifth pelvic-fin ray or may be rudimentary; trunk with approximately 8 distinct subcutaneous bars, the 2 bars originating over anterior half of anal fin, extending vertically to lateral midline or beyond, and 3 shorter bars originating over caudal peduncle, last of which often being confluent with prominent spot over the centre of the caudal peduncle; no distinct pair of dark spots on pectoral-fin base; male urogenital papilla with prominent lateral folds, cuplike in appearance (Ref. 94084).