This species is distinguished by the following characters: vertebrae 62-66; D 54-58 (3-5 anterior rays short); pectoral-fin rays, 11-14 in upper lobe, 4-7 rudimentary rays in notch, 2-3 in lower lobe; preanal length 36.3-37.4% SL; head 25.3-27.6% SL; postorbital distance (from posterior margin of eye to tip of operculum) large, 14.3-15.5% SL; teeth sharp, closely set and distinctly prominent, with some of posterior teeth much larger than others; posterior margin of gill cover emarginated between rigid ends of gill rays; head and anterior part of body brownish-black; gill cavity and mouth black (Ref. 86261).