This species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: A 159-176; P 14-16; C 10-13; precaudal vertebrae 18-19; total vertebrae 70-83; 5th infraorbital present as a tubular laterosensory canal segment; cartilaginous lateral ethmoid; the number of scales above the lateral line at the midbody 7-9; the number of scales along the lateral line 59-63; the extent of the mid-dorsal groove (extending seven to eight scales beyond the vertical through the posterior terminus of the anal fin); tail length 17.1-37.5% of LEA; interorbital distance 14.7-36.5% of HL. Colouration: head and body dark brown from a lateral view with the fins apparently hyaline; distinct pale, broad, longitudinal band extends from chin along dorsal midline of head and body to over dorsal filament; pectoral and anal-fin rays ranging from translucent to dark brown with interradial membranes translucent; pale band encircling base of caudal fin; caudal fin pale at base, pale to black on central portion and translucent posteriorly (Ref. 93867).