This species included in the Enneapterygius flavoccipitis species complex is distinguished by the following characters: A 19; pectoral fin with 7 median branched rays; lateral-line scales 15-16 +19; mandibular-pore formula 4+1+4; eye diameter 100-119; preorbital 69-72; body depth 211-225; preanal-fin length 489-500. Colouration: preserved male with a black head-mask, posterior half of body dark, third dorsal fin pale (only basally dusky), anal fin plain black, no triangular black blotches above anal-fin base, pelvic fins pale, and caudal fin dark with a narrow pale margin (Ref. 131105).