This species is distinguished by the following characters: position of anus halfway between tip of snout and origin of anal fin; non-tapering and compressed body; head short with blunt snout; no scales and lateral line; vertical fins joined; pectoral radials not prolonged; mouth oblique, ending well behind eye; weak opercular spine covered by skin; anterior nostril close to upper lip, ending in distinct tube; palatines with few, small teeth; few, large head pores: anterior infraorbital pores 3, a pair of anterior mandibular pores at lower jaw symphysis and 1 posterior mandibular pore behind termination of maxilla; otolith with small, undivided, centrally placed sulcus; dorsal fin rays 74, anal fin rays 46, pectoral fin rays 11 or 12; vertebrae 16+36; anterior gill arch with 6 long rakers (Ref. 88959).