Distinguished from all its congeners by the possession of a deep notch situated at the level of the ethmoid region, visible as a square step-like division between the snout and the head in lateral view and a deep groove in dorsal view. Can be further diagnosed from other congeners by the following combination of characters: snout length 51-57% HL; ventral surface between paired fins with a broad triangular scale-less patch; dorsal fin with branched rays 9-10; pectoral fin with 5-6 unbranched rays; caudal fin with 10+9 rays; scales on lateral line 32-34; lateral sides of body marked with 6 indistinct round to squarish dark brown blotches, arranged in a longitudinal row; dorsal saddles deep, extending 3-4 scale rows downwards from dorsal surface, in contact with the round to squarish dark brown blotches, arranged in a longitudinal row on flank; caudal fin with an irregular pigmentation pattern, most prominent along lower lobe (Ref. 85329).

Description: Dorsal-fin rays iii.9-10; anal-fin rays ii.5-6; pectoral-fin rays v-vi.10-11; pelvic-fin rays ii.7 (Ref. 85329).