This species is distingusihed by the following characters: body oval, stocky, laterally compressed; greatest depth in anterior one-third with moderate anterior and more gradual posterior taper beyond this point; head relatively large, broadly rounded anteriorly; short snout rounded; eyes separated by small, concave, interorbital space; mouth symphysis reaching vertical through middle of lower eye; ocular-side anterior nostril tubular, reaching beyond anterior margin of lower eye; blind-side anterior nostril tubular; D 50-58, fin's origin anterior to vertical through anterior margin of eyes; A 40-45; dorsal and anal fins are not connected to caudal peduncle; caudal peduncle very distinct; pectoral-fin rays 5-6 on ocular side, absent on blind side; scales trapezoid, very rough; pored lateral line scales 52-54, supratemporal branch of lateral line not distinct. Colour: ocular side is greyish or reddish brown with darker spots or irregular bands, the dorsal and anal fins with alternating series of 1 or 2 lightly pigmented and 4 to 6 darkly pigmented fin rays, the pectoral fin darker than body colour; blind side whitish (Ref. 109259).