This medium-sized species is distinguished by the following characters: typical muraenid shape, anus at mid-point of body; high dorsal fin; eyes above the mid-jaw; jaws slightly arched, do not completely close; cephalic sensory pores are small; uniserial teeth, are slender and pointed; predorsal vertebrae 4, preanal vertebrae 57-59, total vertebrae 141. Colouration: brown or gray-brown body; several rows of large dark brown patches on back of body and dorsal fin; patches are obscure during daytime and becoming obvious at night; dorsal head dark brown and spotless; when alive, the fins with fine greyish-white margins but these are invisible when preserved; inner skin of nostrils and head pores are whitish; oral cavity uniform brown; throat grooves are darkish; iris of the eye reddish-brown (Ref. 127463).