This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: dorsal rays VI + I,9-10; absence of elongate spinesp; posteriormost rays of second dorsal fin not reaching caudal fin base when adpressed; anal rays I,9-10, longest rays in middle of fin; pectoral rays 15; absence of pelvic frenum; absence of cephalic sensory canals and associated pores; total longitudinal scales 18-21, median row interrupted below first dorsal fin by scaleless gap; main mass of body scales extending forward from caudal-fin base to below middle of second dorsal fin; colour in alcohol pale yellowish or tan with very few, widely-scattered dark melanophores on head and side of body, largest and most conspicuous on opercle and frontal region; and fins mainly translucent except male holotype with black submarginal stripe on anal fin, and inconspicuous black spotting on pelvic fins and outer portion of dorsal and anal fins of female (Ref. 138626).