This species is characterized by the following set of characters: D 10-12 (modally 11); A 9-11 (10); pectoral-fin rays 23-26 (23); upper end of gill membrane level with base of 8th to 10th (usually 10th) pectoral-fin ray in lateral view; gill rakers on each arch 6-8 (7); vertebrae 32 or 33 (32); snout is somewhat short and slender, its length 7.4-9.4 (mean 8.4) and depth 4.0-6.5 (5.1) % SL; upper jaw not sharply pointed or projected, its length 5.5-7.7 (6.5) % SL; side of lower-jaw teeth with hook-like tips; head depth 7.2-10.4 (8.5) % SL; disc size is moderate, its length 14.0-18.2 (16.8) % SL; dorsal and anal fins have weak membranous connections to caudal fin; head sensory canal pores are well developed, including 2 nasal, lacrimal and postorbital, and 3 preopercular pores; three narrow white stripes from snout to vertical through posterior margin of disc, two located laterally and one along dorsal midline (Ref. 129527).