The species is distinguished by the following: Vertebrae 11-12 + 27-30 = 38-41, dorsal fin rays 63-73, anal fin rays 47-54, outer pseudoclasper very slender, long, wing-shaped, slightly expanded posterodistally, and with single, almost straight supporter; inner pseudoclasper long, stalked, distally with three branches, anterior branch curved, median branch stout, posterior branch fleshy ear-lobed flap; penis tapering; opercular spine with single, sharp tip in

small specimens and furcated (2-3 tips) in specimens greater than 45 mm SL; scale patch on cheeks with 7-8 vertical scale rows; otolith length: height ratio 2.4-2.5 (Ref. 57883).