This species is distinguished from the eastern Pacific subcongeners by having a supraoccipital process broader on posterior portion (3.4-4.0% SL) and long (12.0-14.1% SL); nuchal plate long (7.2-7.9% SL), and wide (7.2-8.1% SL); edges of the distal third of the occipital process present a marked anterior-posterior convergence; distance between anterior nostrils short (3.3-4.2% SL); distance between posterior nostrils short (4.1-5.8% SL); orbital diameter large (4.1-5.4% SL); mouth narrow (9.5-11.1% SL); vomerine tooth plates absent, and accessory tooth plates bearing molariform teeth; distance from snout to dorsal fin long (36.1-40.6% SL); gill rakers on first brachial arch 17-18, on second brachial arch 16-19 rakers; caudal-fin lobes long, upper (31.3-32.8% SL), lower (29.7-32.8% SL); caudal-peduncle deep (7.8-9.0% SL); caudal-fin lobes wide, rounded posteriorly; short anal-fin base (15.3-19.3% SL); anal-fin rays 23-25 (Ref. 130657).