This species is characterized by the following: D VI,9; A III,21; pectoral-fin rays 16 (on both sides); lateral-line scales 71; rows of scales above lateral line to base of dorsal fin 5.5; gill rakers 26; body depth 3.1 in SL, width 2.0 in body depth; caudal-peduncle depth 8.35 in SL; step-in measurements of the depth of the caudal peduncle with individuals less than 9.0 SL, thus following the key for this character; head length 2.75 in SL; snout length 12.5 in SL; eye relatively large, the orbit diameter 6.9 in SL; interorbital width 12.5 in SL; mouth forming an angle of about 45° to horizontal axis of body; recurved teeth sharply conical, in two irregular rows in upper jaw, upper row teeth more forward-projecting, those of second row more strongly recurved; similar smaller teeth in lower jaw, well-spaced, single row; vomer and palatines with very small, incurved, sharply conical teeth in a single irregular row ; thin lips densely covered with adjacent papillae; tongue broadly triangular with a small, rounded, flexible, terminal flap; predorsal length 2.45 in SL; first dorsal-fin soft ray is longest, 5.0 in SL; caudal fin forked (too damaged for measurement); pectoral-fin length 3.3 in SL; prepelvic length 2.7 in SL; pelvic fins do not reach anus, fin length 5.3 in SL; without pin-like dark line anterior to anus; iris black in preserved holotype (Ref. 107896).