This species is diagnosed by having predorsal contour steep and flat, concave before eye, and prominent forehead, forming a nuchal hump in adult males. Dorsal and ventral contours are conic, straight to moderately convex, making intersection with caudal peduncle conspicuous. This is also distinguished using the following combination characters: distance from anal fin origin to hypural base (mean 36%, SD 1%); mouth slightly angled

downward; lower pharyngeal plate moderately stout and broad; 2 rows of 8-9 stout molars increasing in size posteriorly and molarization flank the midline, 4 most posterior molars flattened; and spiny dorsal fin rays V (Ref. 94458).