This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: presence of serrations on anterior edge of dorsal spine; thoracic adhesive apparatus not extending beyond base of last pectoral; total second dorsal-fin rays 9-12 (modally 11); total anal-fin rays usually 12-14 (modally 13); pectoral-fin rays 12-15 (modally 13); vertebrae 17 or 18 + 23 or 24 = 40-42 (usually 18 + 23 = 41); P-V 22·23, 23, 23·24, 24, 24·25 (usually 23·24, 24, 24·25); anteriormost anal-fin pterygiophore inserted behind 19-24th (usually 19-21st, modally 21st) vertebrae; uppermost 2-4 (modally 2-3) rays free on pectoral fin; 8-12 pectoral-fin rays branched (uppermost free rays and sometimes lowermost ray unbranched); AAA longer than half body depth at anus to anal-fin origin; dorsal-fin origin just above or behind anterior 1/3 of anal-fin base; pectoral-fin membrane not significantly concave between rays; pelvic fins united, forming a ventral disc; head length 13.9-20.8% of SL; P2A length 32.0-36.4% of SL; pre-pelvic-fin length 14.4-22.1% of SL; pre-dorsal-fin length 68.9-72.9% of SL; pre-anal-fin length 63.5-67.7% of SL; pelvic-fin length 2.8-4.7% of SL and 4.0-6.5% of pre-dorsal-fin length; greenish dark brown body when fresh; and post-flexion larvae lacking black lateral midline posteriorly on body (Ref. 138320).