This species is distinguished from its congeners in having the following set of character states: deep, rounded head; small, terminal, horizontal mouth; dorsally notched and triangular opercular flap; simple teeth; high tooth-row count, up to 12 teeth in 31-33 rows; 17-19 pectoral-fin rays, with 4-5 comprising the lower lobe; 56-60 vertebrae; 51-55 dorsal-fin rays; 46-49 anal-fin rays; 6-7 principal caudal-fin rays; small gill slit, wholly above pectoral-fin or reaching ventrally in front of rays 3-4; 8-10 pyloric caeca; peritoneum black; stomach, intestine, and pyloric caeca unpigmented; body

pale anteriorly, increasingly more pigmented posteriorly, and tail partially orange in life (Ref. 86268).