Distinguished from all congeners by a uniform dusky brown color pattern without marks on dorsum or side of body and many conspicuous supplementary neuromasts along the lateral line and on the head. Can be further diagnosed from other congeners lacking brown or black marks on body by its dark brown color, incomplete lateral line extending only to beneath dorsal fin, and origin of dorsal fin located above origin of pelvic fin (Ref. 93080).

Description: Dorsal fin iv 7½ or 8½; anal fin iii 5½; pectoral fin 9 or 10; pelvic fin 8 (Ref. 93080).