This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 68; A 49; lateral-line scales 71; vertebrae 37; dorsal pterygiophores anterior to fourth neural spine 9; body depth 2.4 in SL; head length 4.1 in SL; no caudal peduncle; snout length 2.95 in head length; colour in alcohol uniformly pale yellowish brown, when fresh pale brown with numerous, irregular, bluish white blotches, scattered small dark brown spots, and with 3 rows of large brown blotches (one at base of dorsal fin, one at base of anal fin, and one along lateral line); a large orange-red area over abdomen and posterior head; iris light yellow with spoke-like brown bands; median fins with a row of large dark brown spots at the base, and smaller spots peripherally (Ref. 95111).