This stout species of Ophichthus, subgenus Coecilophis is distinguished by the following characters: tail 57% and head 12% of total length; origin of dorsal-fin above pectoral-fin base; small, rounded pectoral fins; posterior nostril in upper lip is covered by a flap; minute, numerous head pores, SO 1+4, IO 4+3, POM 3+9-10; small and pointed teeth, none elongate, uniserial on mandible and posterior half of vomer, biserial on maxillary; pale in color, slightly darker dorsally, median fins pale; mean vertebral formula 11/52.5/132, total vertebrae 131-133 (Ref. 84366).