This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: segmented dorsal-fin rays 9; segmented anal-fin rays 8; lateral scales 21-22; predorsal scales 7-8; reduced cephalic sensory-canal pores, with only posterior nasals (B’), posterior interorbital (D), anterior otics (F), and intertemporals (H’); cephalic sensory papillae rows 20 and 21 separate and with 10 transverse mandibular papillae rows; absence of pelvic frenum and connecting membrane restricted to basal half of fin; cycloid scales anteriorly, becoming ctenoid posteriorly below the level of base of second or third segmented dorsal-fin ray. Colour pattern when alive mottled brown with gray lateral stripes corresponding to lateral-scale rows, whitish margins with orange vermiculations on dorsal fins and upper edge of caudal fin, and basal half of first-dorsal fin with a yellow-edged partial ocellus (Ref. 122935).

Description: Urogenital papilla of male with a triangular base and a slender, tubular distal tip, and all covered with pepper-like melanophores, while in female it is broad (width and length about equal) with a flattened, darkly-pigmented ventral surface and a pair of tiny cirri laterally at distal edge of each side (Ref. 122935).