This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: a small species, maximum recorded adult size 46.4 mm SL; four pelvic fin rays present; posterior nostril about equidistant from anterior nostril and from orbit; a compact broad autopalatine, its width about equal to its length excluding anterior cartilage and postero-lateral process; anterior broad and rounded projection on the interopercle present; five pectoral-fin rays; six or seven opercular odontodes; 20-23 premaxillary teeth; 24-25 dentary teeth; jaw teeth always pointed; largest rays of the dorsal and anal fins longer than the respective fin bases; dorsal and anal fins rounded; head width 83.5-91.3% of the head length; interorbital length 27.0-31.2%; mesethmoid robust, its width at the base of cornua about four fifths of autopalatine width; and metapterygoid deeper than long (Ref. 138850).