This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: premaxillary ascending process long and slender, widest point at the distal half; maxilla curved downward posteriorly with a rounded posterodorsal edge; anus located slightly anterior to appressed tip of pelvic fin (holotype and 35 paratypes) or just at the appressed tip (12 paratypes) (distance between pelvic-fin insertion and anus ca. four-fifths of pelvic-fin length or longer); with a distinct black crescent marking in front of eye in preserved specimens; eye large with diameter 9.5-11.9 % SL or 36-44 % HL; interorbital somewhat wide, width 9.8-11.8 % SL or 36-43 % HL; posterior margin of lateral and predorsal scales entire; no distinct projection on posterior margin of axillary scale (Ref. 92894).