This species which is a member of the C. fimbriatus-species group is distinguished from its congeners in having the following characters: body is covered by variable-sized, irregular brownish patches and a complex white reticulate pattern; eye circled by prominent radiating brownish markings; dorsal-fin base with 2-3 pairs of narrow brownish bars; pale reticulate markings frequently double-lined; pattern extending forward to front of lower jaw, and over pectoral and caudal fins; bridging each neuromast are 3-4 pairs of spinules; second gill arch with 8-9 rakers; short and stout illicium; small illicial trough oval in shape; esca with numerous thin pale cirri with brown tips; pale gill chamber; peritoneal membrane black; lateral-line neuromast counts: upper preopercular = 2, infraorbital = 6-7, hyomandibular = 3, pectoral = 10-12, body proper = 31-32 (Ref. 94130).