Differentiated by its high vertebral count combined with its distinctive pigmentation - light tan, dorso-lateral surface of body overlaid with a series of circa 30-35 dark brown blotches; blotches either do not extend to the dorsal surface (anterior to dorsal origin or near tail) or only weakly extend to the dorsal fin base, which is lightly pigmented for most of its length; blotches do not line up in pairs with blotches on other side of body (Ref. 47953).