This species of the Chaunax fimbriatus group is distinguished from other members by its black mouth cavity and gill chamber; skin with simple spinules; caudal peduncle relatively short (TL1 = 25.5% SL, TL2 = 17.9% SL, TL3 = 13.5% SL); flanking neuromasts with 3-5 spinules; modal lateral-line neuromasts: upper preopercular series 2, infraorbital series 6, lower preopercular series 3 or 4, hyomandibular series 3 and pectoral series 11 or 12; pectoral-fin rays 13 or 14. Colouration: when fresh orange-red with irregular small yellow patterns on dorsal surface, the latter turning pale when preserved and yellowish green to brown esca (Ref. 127469).