This species is distinguished from its congeners in having the following set of characters: membranes of dorsal-fin spines darkly pigmented (in specimens greater than 17 mm SL); spawning males with lower part of head and abdomen darkly pigmented; membranes of dorsal-fin spines black; membranes of pelvic-fin spine blue and white; pelvic-fin spine dark with lightly pigmented tip; anal-fin spine dark at base, blue and white distally; numerous small black dots on membranes between rays of dorsal and anal fins, resulting in an overall dark-grey coloration; no anteroventral branch of ectocoracoid (ectocoracoids not extending beneath junction of cleithra); no ascending branch on pelvic skeleton; modal number of dorsal-fin spines 10; presence of caudal peduncle keel (4-6 scutes), no lateral scutes on trunk absent; pelvic-fin spine with smooth lateral margins; posterior margin of caudal fin rounded (Ref. 86731).