This species is unique in having a broad flat face, surrounded by thick, fleshy, laterally expanded cheeks and chin, with eyes directed anteriorly; body skin thick and loose, forming conspicuous fleshy folds that envelop the unpaired fins; a pigment pattern of white stripes runs from the eyes and continuing back to the body and tip of the caudal fin; genetic divergence in the nuclear recombination activation gene-2 (RAG2), cytochrome oxidase-I (COI), and 16S rRNA genes (Ref. 80493).

Description: Characterized by yellowish tan to reddish color; microscopic size of illicium; thick skin bounds second and third dorsal spines to surface of head; absence of caudal peduncle, posterior margins of dorsal and anal fins connected to base of outermost caudal fin rays (Ref. 90102).