This species is distinguished by the following characters: pelvic fin absent; with a wide, black sub-marginal bar bordered by a yellow marginal band in the anal, dorsal and caudal fins of the male; head canals absent; nuptial female with dermal sheath at the anal-fin base; flank pattern in the male with a series of black or brown bars; caudal-fin base in the female with a bold, black spot at centre (Ref. 126233).