This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: pectoral fin rays I, 15; pelvic fin rays I, 8; lateral line scales 77-83; anus farther posterior insertion of pelvic fin than to anal fin origin, caudal peduncle depth approximately as caudal peduncle length (8.2%-8.5%); distance from pelvic fin to pectoral fin (39.1%) larger than distance from pelvic fin to anal fin (29.8%); broad midlateral black stripe stretching from behind head to caudal-peduncle base; black dotted stripe stretching from base of pectoral fin to posterior end of anal fin; lower lip with three large papillae; median wider than two lateral ones; rostral fold divided into three triangular lobules of same size; distinct black dot at base of pelvic and pectoral fins; fleshy black protrusion in pelvic fin base (Ref. 133159).