This species is distinguished by the following characters: cephalic sensory-canal pore pattern lacking only the IT and NA pores and with the AITO pore positioned far forward and opening anteriorly; anterior tubular nares very long; dorsal/anal-fin formula 8/7; unbranched pectoral-fin rays; fifth pelvic-fin ray absent or flexible and rudimentary and less than 10% of the 4th; a black spot at the caudal-fin base; colour in life red-orange with 5 distinctive small white spots along the posterior midline and 2 white lines over the abdomen (Ref. 96307).