This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: no anal fin; two spineless dorsal fins, first dorsal fin higher and larger than second dorsal fin; short lateral keels on the caudal peduncle, precaudal pits absent; caudal fin is asymmetrical and paddle-shaped, with a relatively short upper lobe and long lower lobe; rhomboid-shaped dermal denticles; teeth dissimilar in upper and lower jaws, upper-jaw teeth small with lanceolate, in 72 rows, lower-jaw teeth semioblique with low roots, in 28 rows; precaudal vertebrae 60-61, caudal vertebrae 15-18, total 75-78; number of turns in spiral valve 25-26 In mid-term embryo stage (12.8-15.0 cm TL); no teeth and dermal denticles; sexes identifiable; caudal keel present. Colouration: body light brown to yellow-grayish (Ref. 123759).