This species is distinguished by the following characters: protrusion present on the upper posterior part of dermal fold along the upper margin of eye; longitudinal scales 51-54 (mean 52.7); transverse scales 10-14 (mean 11.7); predorsal scales absent; no scales on belly; scales do not extend to the first dorsal, second dorsal and anal fins; width of scaled area 44.0-66.7% (mean 57.7%) of body depth at origin of anal fin; a narrow white transverse band across base of pectoral fins whose width at median dorsal line is 4.0-8.0% (mean 6.2%) of SL; a white transverse band of similar width across anterior part of first dorsal fin extending to the ventral side of the body; when alive, white markings present on a dark brown ground colour (Ref. 12703).