Distinguished by the following characteristics: dark brown to nearly blackish color; fins with small white to yellowish-white dots; weakly ctenoid scales on body except cycloid anteriorly above lateral line, on thorax and abdomen; body with auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 2.6-3.0 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins, 1.9-2.2 in head length (Ref. 90102); head length 2.3-2.7 times in SL; flat interorbital area; short snout, length subequal to eye diameter; preorbital depth less than greatest width of upper lip; rounded preopercle, finely serrate, serrae at angle slightly enlarged; upper edge of operculum mostly enlarged; funnel-shaped anterior nostrils, rear margin expanded as a flap reaching posterior nostril; posterior nostril diameter 2-4 times larger than anterior nostril diameter; maxilla reaches past vertical at rear edge of eye, lower edge with rounded step at front of widest part; 2-3 rows of small subequal teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; presence of 2 short stout canines at front of both jaws; pyloric caeca 8 (Ref. 89707).