This species is distinguished by the following characters: complete cephalic sensory-canal pore system (pattern 1); some branched pectoral-fin rays; dorsal/anal-fin formula is 8/8; in males the first dorsal spine is filamentous; the fifth pelvic-fin ray may be absent or rudimentary; male urogenital papilla is a flat rounded plate; there are 3 bars extending down from lower half of eye; with a dark mark on the lower portion of the preopercular margin; dark bars angling down posteroventrally at the upper and lower portions of pectoral-fin base; there are a number of dark marks on underside of head (Ref. 107299).