This species is distinguished by having the following characters: a large and very distinct round pale area ocellus-like, margined with dark brown on posterior part of each pectoral base of the upper side of the disc; upper surface of disc fully covered with numerous small spinules, also on interorbital area, tail, dorsal fins, and posterior pelvic lobes; larger individuals with scattered spinules distributed in central parts of the disc; ocular thorns absent; continuous row of 21-27 median thorns from nuchal; region to first dorsal fin; males have elongated, slender rod-shaped claspers; dorsal fin densely spinulose close to the end of tail and with no space between them (Ref. 55502).