This species is distinguished by the following characters: short dorsal, pelvic and caudal fins; truncate or slightly rounded caudal fin; fin membranes entire; olfactory rosette in females with a small dorsal patch of a nasal lamellae, males with a larger patch filling about half of the nasal cavity; no premaxillary spine; fin counts low; multifid dermal papillae; color in live individuals pale green with lighter mottling, spinous dorsal fin membrane between 2 anteriormost spines typically with large black blotches and body with scattered dark spot; small size at maturity, females with eggs 34.3-46.9 mm (Ref .57851).

Description: Characterized by depth of body 17.0-29.9 % SL; least snout depth 9.3-11.1 % SL; depth of caudal peduncle 3.5-10.3 % SL; length of caudal peduncle 5.2-7.5 % SL; length of caudal fin 14.2-24.3 % SL (Ref. 90102).