This species is distinguished by the following characters: cephalic sensory-pore system lacking only G (IT) pore (Pattern 2); dorsal/anal fin-ray formula 8 or 9/8; pectoral-fin rays are branched; the fifth pelvic-fin ray less than 10% of fourth or rudimentary; caudal peduncle with a dark, roundish spot centered on preural centrum region; with 6 dark, narrow, internal postanal bars; body is heavily peppered with dark chromatophores; genital papilla neither fimbriate nor cup-like; no obvious dark spots on the pectoral-fin base; without postocular spot (Ref. 96643).