This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 65-72; A 50-56; lateral-line scales 71-84; pelvic rays 4 or 5 (usually 4); lateral line on ocular side of head with three branches; vertebrae 36-38; dorsal pterygiophores anterior to fourth neural spine 7-11; slender body, depth 2.85-3.15 in SL; no caudal peduncle or extremely short; short head, length 4.7-5.15 in SL; eye diameter 4.8-5.5 in HL; interorbital width 9.55-10.7 in HL; longest dorsal ray 1.7-2.0 in HL; caudal fin 3.95-4.1 in SL; ocular-side pelvic fin anterior to blind-side fin; ocular-side pelvic fin joined by membrane to base of genital papilla, while fin of blind side joined to blind-side of anal papilla; pelvic fins reaching base of second anal ray, 2.3-2.6 in HL; no scales extending out on dorsal and anal rays; ocular side in alcohol light grey-brown, with many small blackish spots, and 3 longitudinal rows of blackish blotches of about twice eye diameter; dorsal and anal fins pale with a dark middle streak on rays; caudal fin with small dark spots on rays (Ref. 84817).