This species is distinguished by the following characters: no scales on cheeks, opercle and predorsal midline, 18-19 unbranched pectoral fin rays; an unbranched 5th pelvic fin ray that is 40-56% the length of the 4th ray; total gill rakers 17-18; U-shaped interorbital and a narrow slit-like postorbital trench, a low, median fleshy ridge extending half-way towards the orbit from the origin of the first dorsal fin; colour of freshly collected, pink head and body with most body scales having an orange-brown spot or short bar at their centres (Ref. 115117).