This species is distinguished from its congeners in the North Pacific by the following set of characters: teeth trilobed; two separate chin pores; low counts of median-fin rays, D 39-41, A 33-35; vertebrae 44-45; peritoneum and stomach pale; body reddish with broad white saddle at

anterior part of dorsal fin extending to belly; differs from Careproctus staufferi having two separate chin pores (vs. two pores in a single pit), a smaller head 24.6-27.4 (vs. 27.0-30.0 % HL), and fewer pectoral-fin rays 32-37 (vs. 36-44), as well as its coloration in life, white saddle across anterior part of dorsal fin present and golden lateral slash absent (vs. saddle absent and slash present); differs from C. mollis and C. sinensis by fewer dorsal-fin rays 39–41 (vs. 53), anal-fin rays 33-35 (vs. 47), and vertebrae 44-45 (vs. 58–59), a larger pelvic disc 38.6-48.8 (vs. ca. 28 % HL) and two chin pores in separate pits (vs. two pores in a single

pit) (Ref. 129450).