This species can be distinguished from its congeners by having suprapectoral-fin photophores (vs. absent) and the anterior teeth of lateral series in dentary and premaxillary are hook-like curved, inserting on the lateral edge of bone and positioned outside of mouth so that teeth are visible in ventral and dorsal views (vs. teeth straight, or if curved, not hook-like, and inserted at oral edge of bone, not allowing them to be seen in dorsal or ventral views) (Ref. 85782).