This species is distinguished by the following characters: absence of the POP and IT cephalic sensory-canal pores; dorsal/anal fin-ray formula often 8/8; some of the pectoral-fin rays are branched; fifth pelvic-fin ray 20% or less of fourth pelvic-fin ray; under eye are 3 dark bars; first dorsal fin of male is filamentous; male urogenital papilla is smooth and tapered, peppered with small black spots (Ref. 109221).