This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: both jaws with narrow rows of stout, sharp, simple, recurved teeth; a moderate-sized gill opening which extends ventrally to pectoral rays 4-8; pelvic disk large 25-38% HL; cephalic pore pattern 2-6-7-1; most similar to C. lycopersicus and C. kamikawai, which are both distinguished from C. ovigerus by their broad bands of trilobed teeth (Ref. 91047).

Description: Dorsal and anal fins confluent with caudal fin; upper part of pectorals rounded with rays decreasing in length evenly to about the sixth from the bottom which, like those immediately below, is much increased in length and exserted; pelvic fins modified to form a large, nearly circular adhesive disc (Ref. 6885).