This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: body depth 35-45% SL, 126-167% HL; posterior margin of adipose eyelid not incised (similar to E. rivulatus); upper branch of postorbital canal is short, just reaching to or very slightly extending beyond posterior margin of preopercle (similar to E. berbis); anterior tip of scaly area on breast just reaching to vertical through junction of interopercle and subopercle at margin of operculum; interspace of pelvic keels naked; scale rows above and below lateral line 11-17 and 17-24, respectively (some of both 29-38); scale rows between lowest base of pectoral fin and pelvic-fin insertion 8-9; markings on anterior dorsolateral body comprised of short wavy lines or oblique lines; second anal-fin spine short, not extending beyond base of fifth soft ray (Ref. 130900).