Description: (based on 22 specimens): Adult height: 7.9-13.5cm. Rings: 11 + 35 (34-37). Snout length: 1.7-2.0 in head length. Dorsal fin rays: 17 (15-18) covering 2+1 rings. Pectoral fin rays: 18 (17-20). Coronet: medium, with four or five very long, very sharp spines. Spines: extremely long and sharp; all spines well-developed. Other distinctive characters: very long snout (more than 1/2 head length); single cheek spine; dorsal fin base very short; always has at least as many pectoral as dorsal fin rays (whereas most species have more dorsal fin rays); sharp ventral keel; prominent spine in front of coronet.

Color pattern: base color variable, including pale pink, yellow or green; spines often dark tipped; may have pale ‘saddles’, often filled with small dark spots, across dorsolateral surfaces; snout not striped.