This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: dorsal/anal fin-ray formula 8/8; branched pectoral fin rays 6-7; cephalic sensory-pore system pattern I (complete); absence of fifth segmented pelvic-fin ray; branches on fourth pelvic-fin ray 3-6; non-fimbriate genital papilla; non-filamentous first dorsal fin; slender body 18.8-23.6% SL; spindle-shaped black lines on body (from black pigment in scale-pocket tissue); pigmented anal fin; ventral surface of caudal peduncle with 3 dark marks, 2 more on anal-fin base in preserved specimens; when fresh, 6 internal black blotches on sides (Ref. 83982).