This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D VI+I,6–7; A I,6–8; first dorsal-fin spine not produced into filament; pelvic frenum present; cephalic sensory canals and associated pores present; 22–30 longitudinal scales. Coloration in alcohol is tan with 8 widely spaced, small, brown spots in mid-lateral row on side of the body; faint dark bar of stellate melanophores across anterior cheek; scattered pepper-like melanophores on anterior part of upper opercle It is closely related to Grallenia arenicola from Kashiwa-jima island of southern Japan. This species has relatively fewer scales anterior to the level of the second dorsal fin origin compared with Grallenia arenicola (Ref. 123066).