This species is distinguished by the following characters: vertebrae 62-69; D 56-60; pectoral fin

with 12-13 rays in upper lobe, 4-5 notch rays (rudimentary to their basis and widely spaced) and

2-3 elongated rays in lower lobe; preanal distance 34.3-34.5% SL, head 23.4-23.9%; postorbital distance short, 12.7-13.0% SL; wide and flat tooth plates, teeth very small, slightly prominent and even in size; posterior margin of gill cover rounded; skin on head, including its lower side, pale (bright red in life); mouth pale, grayish gill cavity (Ref. 86261).