Pelvic fin rays 11-12; height first dorsal fin about equal to or more than head length; underside of head scaled, but lacking prominent pores of sensory lateralis system; body scales with dense covering of broadly shield-shaped spinules; 5.5-7.5 scale rows below origin of second dorsal fin, 36-42 lateral line scales over distance equal to predorsal length; trunk completely encircled by broad dark band, although sometimes rather faint; first dorsal fin uniformly blackish; anterior dermal window of light organ scarcely developed, usually apparent only as triangular anterior protrusion of naked periproct, situated behind line connecting insertions of pelvic fins; orbit to preopercle distance 38-44% of head length; upper jaw 29-34%; gill rakers on inner side of first arch 9-10. Snout protruding, angular.