This squatinid is distinguished from other western North Pacific squatinids based on the following characters: unfringed barbels with rod-like tips; upper lip arch semi-oval in shape, upper lip arch height (1.2), its width (4.3); with large papillae on the inside posterior margin of the spiracles; a greater interspiracle space (8.9) than interorbital space (8.6); no midback row of thorny tubercles; no large prominent ocelli on pectoral fins; pelvic fin tips reaching first dorsal origin, pelvic fin base short (12.9), pelvic inner margin very short (8.6) and short pelvic posterior margin (16.3); pelvic girdle width (27.9) more than 1.4 times greater than head length (18.7); dorsal fins angular, greater interdorsal space (7.4) than dorsal caudal space (6.4), with subdorsal saddles; caudal fin lobed, very short upper postventral caudal margin (2.5) (Ref. 86399).