It is distinguished from most congeners by lacking scales on the isthmus and chest, and by having 8-13 premaxillary teeth, the first four pectoral-fin rays noticeably thickened, 34-36 lateral line scales, and branchiostegal membranes that are free from each other across the isthmus. It differs further by its large adult body size (max. = 85.5 mm SL), and by having a tan body base color with a dark midlateral stripe that originates on the upper lip and continues posteriorly to the base of the middle caudal-fin rays, a gray to dark-black dorsum with two horizontal rows of small light spots formed by aligned light-colored scale centers, a dark humeral spot, up to 15 irregular black bars that extend from dorsum to lower sides, a light opercular margin, and fins that are uniformly dusky. Several cranial, vertebral, and swim bladder characteristics make this species distinct from other congeners (Ref. 94269)