This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: cephalic

sensory-pore system pattern group1 (complete); dorsal/anal fin-ray formula 8/7; pectoral-fin rays branched; anterior spines of first dorsal fin not elongated; female genital papilla non-fimbriate; no 5th pelvic-fin ray; body relatively deep, 25% SL; occipital spot or spots on pectoral-fin base absent; internal blotch over ural centrum above midline, faint when preserved; both dorsal fins and anal fin with small, distinct, round red spots when fresh; when fresh and preserved, sides and belly peppered with tiny black chromatophores (Ref. 86696).