This species is distinguished by the following characters: vertebrae 53, pectoral fin rays 13, pyloric caeca 5; angle of mouth 20-30°, upper jaw 60% head; teeth arranged in about 25 oblique rows forming a band of up to four teeth wide; long slender opercle curved posteroventrally, its tip pointing downwards, forming a sharp, acutely angled lobe; coronal pore unknown but probably absent, mandibular symphyseal pores moderately large, oval, situated on each side of symphyseal knob; relatively short and deep abdomen, the distance from mandible to end of abdomen 125%, pectoral symphysis to end of abdomen 75%, anus to anal fin about 65% HL; peritoneum black viewed through the body wall; pyloric caeca black (Ref. 92437).