This species is characterized with its tail much longer than head and trunk, distance from tip of snout to anus 2.9-3.1 in TL; posterior nostril close to edge of orbit; dorsal fin origin over basal half of pectoral fins; a single row of conical teeth at side of jaws, compressed fore and aft, close-set, forming a shearing edge; colour brownish gray with a black band between upper lip and eye (absent in juveniles less than about 20cm long); median fins with distinct black margin; pectoral fins often with a large blackish area; dark gray to black bars are seen at night (Ref. 86689).