This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: body depth 35-41% SL, 120-150% HL; the posterior margin of adipose eyelid not incised (similar to E. rivulatus; upper branch of postorbital canal is short, just reaching to or very slightly exceeding beyond posterior margin of preopercle (similar to E. berbis); scaly area on breast exceeding beyond the vertical through junction of interopercle and subopercle at margin of operculum; interspace of pelvic keels naked; scale rows above and below lateral line 4–5 and 10, respectively; small spots and vermiculate markings on the anterior dorsolateral body (Ref. 130900).