This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: with maxillary barbels, but no rostral barbels; last simple dorsal ray is weak and smooth; complete lateral line with 41-43 +1 pored scales; transverse scales from dorsal-fin origin to pelvic fin origin 9-10/1/4½-5; scales between lateral line and anal-fin origin 5½-6; gill rakers are long and branched; proximal end of fifth ceratobranchial hook shaped, with 5+3+2 teeth; behind opercle is a black bar, prominent in juvenile specimens (less than ca 10.0 cm SL), and becoming progressively fainter in mature specimens; all fins pale yellow, red pigments on interradial membranes in large (more than ca 20.0 cm SL) individuals (Ref. 94728).