This species is distinguished by the following: with a unique anatomical features of the head, including: a distinct, cup-like crest present anterodorsally on the supraoccipital; with large and conspicuous medioventral conical spines on the cleithral symphysis and the first trunk ring between the pectoral-fin bases; with a prominent supraoccipital; continuous cleithrum; prominent supracleithrum; absence of anterior nuchal plate; posterior nuchal plate with bony dorsomedial crest; presence of a large gap between the supraoccipital and posterior nuchal plate; 1-3 dorsal spines at midline of snout, posteriormost of these spines large; a large double and rugose lateral head spine below the cup-like supraoccipital crest; 3 small blunt lateral head spines on operculum; rim of orbit elevated dorsolaterally and strongly ventrally; 2 spines on cleithral ring; large rugose spine anterior to ventral third of pectoral-fin base; moderate-sized spine at ventral extent of head; a small spine posterolateral to the pelvic-fin base; 4 subdorsal spines, forming a square, the dorsal two enlarged (Ref. 125308).