This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: D usually VI + I,10; A usually I,8; most pectoral-fin rays branched; cephalic sensory-pore system pattern 1 (terminal lateral canal pore present); males with first dorsal spine filamentous, base of pectoral fin with 2 spots (darker than body color or much lighter than body color), lower spot usually smaller than upper and sometimes obscure; 4 segmented pelvic-fin rays plus a rudimentary fifth ray present, pelvic rays partly separated, connected about one-third to one half between segmented rays 2-4 and almost completely connected to tip between spine and first ray; rudimentary fifth pelvic ray bound in membrane to fourth ray; subcutaneous bars on lower trunk behind anus usually lacking in preserved adults; nasal tubes short, tips of tubes with thin black ring, dorsal, anal and caudal fins usually grey to black; dorsal fin with some light spots; vertebrae usually 26 (Ref. 93112). Dorsal to anal fin-ray formula 10/8 (Ref. 116739).