Snout long and pointed, its anterolateral margin completely supported by bone. Head ridges narrow, sharply spined; the underside of the head mostly naked except for patches of thin, deciduous scales posteriorly behind level of mouth angle. Light organ small and externally apparent as a blackish streak extending forward of the anus to between the pelvic fins. Overall color is light brown to swarthy; the abdominal region bluish; the fins dusky to blackish; the mouth and gill cavities blackish.