This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: dorsal- and anal-fin rays not covered with black fleshy skin; no pectoral fins; pelvic fins inserted closer to the caudal fin than snout; IV photophores 31; and IP photophores begin halfway along the isthmus length. Within the subgenus Photonectes, it differs from its congeners by having the following characters: D 19-20; A 22-23; body slender, its maximum depth 8.6-12.0% SL; gill filaments of first branchial arch normal, not extending beyond opercular opening; barbel short, its length 35.5-54.9% HL; stem of barbel without discernible secondary light organs; barbel ends in leaf-like flap with single terminal filament; IV 31 (IP 6 + PV 25); VAV 10; AC 14; BR 9; OA 30 (OV 21 + VAL 9); no white luminous tissue on posterodorsal opercle; blue luminous tissue in short vertical streak between PV photophores, not forming longitudinal stripe; longitudinal series of blue luminous tissue in short bars from sides of isthmus to below 7th OV photophore; blue luminous tissue also present under lower jaw, and in area posterior to gill-opening; no blue luminous tissue above end of maxillary (Ref. 120441).