This species is unique in having the following set of characters: D 12-13; A 11-13; pectoral-fin rays 21-23; pelvic-fin rays 13-14; branchiostegal rays 5; gill-rakers on first arch 37-40; vertebrae

49-50; small conical teeth on middle of lower jaws 2-4, teeth on tongue and 1-3; predorsal 48-49% SL; prepectoral 29-30% SL; prepelvic 55-56% SL; distance from pelvic to anal-fin origins 30-31% SL; caudal peduncle depth 5.5-5.9%; HL and 29-30% SL; eye diameter 32-33% HL; snout length 33% HL; maxillary depth 12% HL; anus immediately anterior to anal-fin origin; large black blotches on upper and lower opercular region 2; a black longitudinal stripe running dorsal to lateral line; pigmented isthmus to thorax and fin bases; no melanophores externally on chest to anus (Ref. 84005).