This species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: A 152-160; P 16; C 18-20; precaudal vertebrate 18-19; total vertebrae 63-82; 5th infraorbital present as a tubular laterosensory canal segment; interobital distance 9.7-14.6% of HL; number of scales along the lateral line 74-83; ossified lateral ethmoid; number of scales above the lateral line at the midbody 9-10; mouth length 30-44.5% of HL; tail length 13.0-17.5% of LEA; tail depth 9.9-15.4% of CL; ocular diameter 4.0-6.3% of HL. Colouration: body and head brown; distinct, broad, light coloured longitudinal band extending from chin along dorsal midline of head and body to beginning of dorsal filament; pectoral- and anal-fin rays dark brown with translucent interradial membranes; light band encircling base of caudal fin; caudal fin pale at base, dark brown posteriorly (Ref. 93867).