This species is distinguished from its congeners in the Birds Head region by the following characters: D IV-V+I,13-15; A I, 21-24; 33-35 lateral scales; 10 transverse scales; 16-17 anterior scales; 13-16 cheek scales; 15 gillrakers; greater body depth, 33.3-37.8, with a moderately short pelvic anterior length 36.3-38.3% of SL; moderately short caudal peduncle length, 12.9-16.3, with a large depth, 11.8-12.4% of SL; moderately long pectoral fin length, 18.7-21.7, and a long pelvic fin length 19.4-23.5% of SL; long dorsal fin base length, 38.4-41.4% of SL; moderately long anal fin base length, 39.8-46.0% of SL; origin of the dorsal fin lies behind anal origin, between 1st and 2nd anal soft ray; absence of stripes on the anal and dorsal fin margins (Ref. 103156).