Dorsal-fin rays I,8; anal-fin rays I,9; pectoral-fin rays 14–15, some rays branched; scales on body reaching forward to or nearly to above base of pectoral fins, the longitudinal scale series 34–52, transverse scale rows 10–13; body very slender, the depth at anus 11–13% SL; head length 28–30% SL; head width slightly greater than head depth; head depth 43.5–50% head length; snout length 29–31% head length; jaws same length or lower jaw slightly protruding; lower jaw rounded in ventral view; gill opening wide, extending forward to below posterior edge of orbit; posterior interorbital pore (D) present; curved canine tooth at middle of side of lower jaw; pelvic fins flat and dish-like in adults (cup-like in 13.6-mm paratype); pelvic frenum with anteriorly-facing pocket; caudal fin truncate to rounded; numerous dark brown dots only on ventral half of body posterior to abdomen in preserved specimens; dorsal half of body transparent in life with seven saddle-like, pink and black bars (including one on nape), lower half of body pink, suffused with some yellow, and densely blotched and dotted with black. A small species, the holotype largest, 19.4 mm SL (Ref. 89154).