Diagnosis: differs from the other very elongate species (with body depth equal to or less than 31.0% SL) by its wide and horizontally flattened snout, greater body size (7.95-10.00cm versus 7.45 or less) and the absence of scales on the cheek; 6 vertical bars below the dorsal fin; snout 31.3-35.1 % head length; premaxillary pedicel 28.0-30.5 % head length; 3/2 or more inner tooth rows in oral jaws; lower jaw length 40.3-43.6% head length; head 36.3-38.3 %SL (Ref. 55898).

Description: body very elongate; ventral body profile almost straight; slight concavity above eyes; snout flattened dorso-ventrally; premaxillary pedicel prominent; mouth very broad, ventrally set with an almost horizontal gape and flat lower jaw; maxilla not extending to vertical at anterior margin of eye; outer oral teeth small, close-set and mainly tricuspid; larger specimens with large part of teeth bicuspid in lower jaw; inner teeth tricuspid, very small; inner tooth-rows close-set; no series of scales on cheek; eyes large; upper margin of eye touching, or, in larger specimens, protrudes beyond, dorsal head profile; lower pharyngeal jaw normal, with fine and slender teeth, which are close-set; gill-rakers short (Ref. 55898).

Coloration: Preserved: Females and immature males: body pale brownish yellow; 6 faint vertical bars below the dorsal fin; vertical bars most prominent on dorsum; belly uniformly pale; dorsal fin with a grey base, pale lappets and tips; faint oblique grey bands in soft dorsal; all other fins pale yellowish (Ref. 55898). Mature males: body darker; vertical bars more prominent, but visible only on dorsum; snout dark; chin and belly pale; dorsal fin with a grey base, pale lappets and tips; faint oblique grey bands on soft dorsal; all other fins pale yellowish (Ref. 55898).