This species is distinguished from all its congeners by the following unique set of characters: both dorsal and ventral surfaces dark brown to purplish-black, with irregular whitish blotches ventrally; narrow nasoral region, with relatively small mouth, slender jaws and shallow circumoral groove; relatively small spiracles; very narrow gill-slits; the second dorsal fin is slightly larger than first, with more slanted anterior margin, broadly rounded apex, and convex posterior margin; low caudal fin, relatively elongated; interdorsal distance greater than distance between second dorsal and caudal fin; suprascapula very narrow and not arched posteriorly; males sexually mature between 19.1-21.5 cm TL; relatively high number of caudal vertebral centra (38-46), total vertebral centra (116-120) (Ref. 75959).