This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: body relative to the caudal peduncle (caudal peduncle depth 2.8-3.6 times in body depth at dorsal-fin origin; three dark bands on the body with few irregular dark spots and blotches; absence of a distinctly pale nuchal shield; head length 25.5-28.4% SL; head width 19.1-20.1% SL; width of TAA 1.4-1.8 times in its length; TAA without anteromedial striae and a medial pit; striae in medial third of TAA nearly straight and parallel; nuchal plate with broader lateral processes; dorsal to adipose distance 19.1-22.8% SL; tip of adpressed pelvic fin reaching well short of anal-fin origin; and presence of an enlarged, prominent tubercles on flanks, particularly below the lateral line (Ref. 138277).