This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: total anal-fin rays 12-14 (modally 13); pectoral-fin rays 8-12 (modally 10); vertebrae 16-18 + 22-24 = 39-42 (modally 17 + 23 = 40); pectoral-fin posterior margin slightly concave; pelvic fins united, forming a disc; snout relatively short, length 3.1-4.3% of SL; AAA distance twice body depth at anus, 11.4-16.9% of SL; snout length less than 34.7% of AAA distance; pre-anus length less than 85.5% of pre-anal-fin length; single poorly defined black longitudinal line along mid-lateral body region from behind pectoral fin to caudal-fin base, indistinct anteriorly (line embedded, visible through semi-transparent muscle tissue in fresh or live specimens); and black spots forming a single longitudinal row on mid-lateral body surface from behind pectoral fin to caudal-fin base (more distinct in preserved specimens) (Ref. 138934).