Diagnosis: small elongate species with 8-9 vertical bars below the dorsal fin; lachrymal shallow, 12.3-13.5 % head length; head shape normal; 1/1 inner tooth rows in oral jaws; snout 24.1-24.7 % head length; mouth 41.8-42.6 % head length (Ref. 55898).

Description: dorsal head profile slightly convex, straight between eyes; premaxillary pedicel prominent; mouth large, gape inclined about 20° to horizontal; maxilla extending beyond vertical at anterior margin of eye; outer oral dentition mainly bicuspid, some tricuspid teeth present; inner oral dentition an equal mix of bicuspid and tricuspid teeth; 3-4 series of scales on cheek; eye large; upper margin of eye touching dorsal head profile; lower pharyngeal jaw slender with fine teeth; gill-rakers on lower limb slender (Ref. 55898).

Coloration: Preserved: body pale brownish, with narrow vertical bars; some specimens show darker spots on vertical bars; nape and snout darker; chin and belly pale; fins pale; dorsal fin with narrow pale grey band, white submarginal band and black tips; anal fin with some faint grey spots (Ref. 55898).