This species is distinguished from all its congeners by the following set of characters: complete cephalic sensory-canal pore system; dorsal/anal fin-ray formula usually 8/8 (2 with 8/7); some pectoral-fin rays are branched; the fifth pelvic-fin ray is absent; first dorsal fin not filamentous. Colouration: dark occipital or nape markings absent, above the anal-fin base are two dark postanal spots, pectoral-fin base is peppered with melanophores, a dark internal blotch over the preural centrum on and above the midline, first dorsal fin dark crossed by a pale band about three-quarters way out, and a pear-shaped male urogenital papilla (Ref. 131304).