This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI + I,11; A I,7; pectoral rays 13-14 (usually 13); segmented caudal rays 15-16 (usually 15); body or head scaleless; cephalic sensory pores absent; elongated body, depth at pelvic-fin origin 6.1-6.4 in SL, and compressed, the width 1.5-1.75 in depth; strongly convex snout; tricuspid teeth; gill opening directly preceding and equal in length to pectoral fin base; pelvic fins united, reaching about half distance to origin of anal fin; well developed pelvic frenum; broadly rounded caudal fin, longer than head length; body in both sexes white with 9 or 10 (usually 9) dark brown bars, broader than pale interspaces, those below dorsal fins continuing narrowly into fins; a dark bar on postorbital head (Ref. 82648).