This species is unique in having the following characters: a globular fleshy extension at tip of upper jaw; lateral line divided into 2 parts, with 3 (rarely 2 or 4) grooved scales in the anterior series and 33-35 pored scales with distinct posterior lobe in the posterior series; higher counts of precaudal vertebrae than caudal vertebrae (24-26 + 18-21 = 43-45); edentate premaxilla; D 14-16; A 16-18; dorsal- and anal-fin rays 30-34, both fins restricted to posterior half of body; anal-fin origin below first to third dorsal-fin rays; pelvic-fin I,3-4 (almost always I,3); fourth pectoral- and first pelvic-fin rays greatly elongated and filamentous in male; all dorsal-, anal-, pectoral- and pelvic-fin segmented rays unbranched; caudal-fin rays 9 branched; anal-fin pterygiophores 1 (rarely two) anterior to first haemal spine; vomer and palatine teeth absent, 1 to 3 minute conical teeth on middle of dentary; epurals 2; both anterior and posterior nares pore-like; suborbital skin fold discontinuous at midway; infraorbital canal shortly interrupted below eye; mandibular canal not joined with preopercular canal (Ref. 84004).