This species is distinguished by the following characters: with scales in the predorsal midline; fifth pelvic-fin ray with one dichotomous branch point (total of two branch tips); the middle 1-9 pectoral-fin rays are branched; a bony interorbital of >80% pupil width; caudal fin not forked, with longest ray in the dorsal half of the caudal fin longer than the equivalent ray in the ventral half; upper-cheek papillae in two horizontal lines (a and c); D 9; A 8-9; pectoral fin rays 13; cycloid scales covering the entire predorsal region anterior to a convex line from the upper base of the pectoral fin to just lateral to the base of the sixth first dorsal-fin spine (Ref. 129378).