This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: gill rakers on the first gill arch 19-20; first and second gill arches with 40–42 rakers; osseous medial groove present; fleshy medial groove of neurocranium conspicuous and very long, always surpassing the posterior margin of eyes; lateral margin of sphenotic notched, narrower medially than anteriorly; pterotic lateral margin markedly convex, sometimes angled; mouth small 10.7-12.3% SL; anterior nostrils close 5.5-6.5% SL; posterior nostrils close 4.9-6.7% SL; cephalic shield narrower in the frontal area 8.3-9.8% SL; mesethmoid median portion narrow, mesethmoid medial notch narrow and deep; external posterior branch of lateral ethmoid columnar and thin (Ref. 116660).