This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: A I, 9; pectoral-fin rays 17, with lower rays connected by membrane; longitudinal series scales 25; transverse scales 8; pre-dorsal-fin scale rows 8; cheek and opercle are naked; no pelvic frenum; caudal fin lanceolate, its length 32.2% of SL; interorbital width is very narrow, 1.2% of HL (much narrower than pupil diameter); no spicules or odontoid processes on the outer surface of gill arches. Colouration: body whitish, upper half with broken zigzag pattern of bright yellow patches and associated scattered black melanophores in fresh specimens (melanophores retained in preserved specimens) (Ref. 123502).