This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: lower jaw with a row of conical teeth posterior to a canine tooth near symphysis; absence of basioccipital fossa; proximal-middle radial of first anal-fin pterygiophore with no concavity on anterior surface; pectoral-fin rays 15 (rarely 16); first gill arch with 14-16 gill rakers on lower arm; lateral-line scales 43-45; body depth 32.1-36.8% SL (Ref. 123567).