This species is distinct in having the following characters: small esca, 12% of illicium length (including esca); very elongate and slender illicium, without dermal spinules, about 26% SL in length, 1.9 times in head length; head length about 5.4 times snout length; long snout, length 9% SL; eye 6.9 times in head length; robust body, maximum width about 32% SL; interorbit broad, width about 15% SL; scales with subcircular bases, monospinulate or with prominent, strongly diverging bifurcate spinules (except for those closely associated with pores of the acoustico-lateralis system); spinules variable in length over body; dorsal-fin elements mostly lack spinules, membranes of fins naked; first dorsal-fin base about 18% SL; second dorsal-fin rays 15, fin base 63% SL; fin rays very elongate, longest ray of second dorsal fin about 35% SL; length of second dorsal-fin spine 0.9 times length of longest ray of second dorsal fin; anal-fin rays 8; pale body with a network of reddish streaks (Ref. 82446).