The head is large; the eyes also large; the snout conical. Head ridges strongly demarcated with coarse scute-like scales; underside of the head scaled. The body tapers posteriorly from the first dorsal-fin spine insertion. Light organ short, narrow, extending to about midway between anal fin origin and pelvic fin insertion. Swim bladder weakly bilobate anteriorly, with 4 retia mirabilia. Caudal fin absent. Overall color is pale brown, the fins are darker; mouth and gill cavity linings gray to blackish.