This species is distinguished by the following characters: cephalic sensory-pore system categorized as Group II or without the IT pore, and a varied POP from being both absent to lacking only the upper or lower pore; 8/8 dorsal/anal-fin formula; some branched pectoral-fin rays; absence of dark spot on ural centrum; male genital papilla without fimbria; cheek and rest of body densely peppered with chromatophores (Ref. 94781)

Description: Dorsal-fin rays VI+I, 8 (all); fifth pelvic-fin ray 7.8% of fourth ray; with 6 generally long branches on fourth ray; 17 segmented caudal-fin rays; 24 lateral scale rows; 6 transverse scale rows; 24 vertebrae; abdomen midline with cycloid scales; first dorsal fin triangular; first 2 spines of first dorsal fin possibly filamentous in males as small as 1.25 cm, reaching back past end of second dorsal fin (Ref.94781).