This species is distinguished from its congeners in having the following characters: rostrum is very broad and shelf-like, extending almost completely anterior to mouth; illicial cavity very wide (9.3-13.3% SL, mean 11.0%), with its opening directed downward and esca completely visible in ventral view; tubercles on dorsal surface relatively small and dense, each with 6-8 facets; ventral surface is smooth, with only a few (usually 2) flat tubercles at pelvic-fin bases and occasionally a few around the anus; skull length 24.2-29.5% SL, head depth 22.2-29.4% SL, eye diameter 6.7-10.0% SL, predorsal length 58.0-68.3% SL, preanal length 65.5-74.0% SL, dorsal-fin length 12.5-18.8% SL; lateral-line neuromasts: subopercular series 4-6 (mainly 5), preopercular series 2-3 (2), subopercular series 5-6 (5), dorsolateral branch of subopercular series 2-3 (3) (Ref. 127411).