This moderately large species is distinguished by the following set of characters: short snout with pre-narial length 2.9% TL (2.9-4.0%) and pre-oral length 7.8% TL (6.9-9.0%); broad mouth strongly arched, width 1.2 (1.0-1.5) times into pre-oral length; dentition show strong disjunct dignathic heterodonty with upper teeth comprised of single median cusp, flanked by 1-2 pairs of lateral cusplets, where lower teeth with low, distally-inclined cusps lacking serrations and a low posterior blade; dermal denticles are short, slender, with slightly hook-like conical crowns; denticles below second dorsal fin in irregular patch densities and align into rows along the ceratotrichia of the fins; denticles dense around the eyes and gill openings, sparse to bare on ventrum of snout tip and around mouth; first and dorsal fins similar in size; the second-dorsal-fin spine 1.7 (1.6-2.3) times longer than first-dorsal-fin spine; the second-dorsal-fin spine height greater than second-dorsal-fin apex; interdorsal-fin space is moderately long, 23.1% TL (19.2-21.4%); body color uniformly black, the anteroposteriorly oblong narrow pineal window apparent (Ref. 106129)