This species is distinguished by the following characters: anterior nostril low on snout; copulatory organ of males with a simple and flap-like, small pair of (outer) pseudoclaspers; large species (> 59 mm SL, as indicated from a pre-adult male), very slender (body depth at origin of anal fin 10.9-11.7 % SL); ventral fin base to anal fin origin 23.3-24.3 % SL); 14-15 precaudal vertebrae, 56-59 total vertebrae; D 124-129; A 90-94; 23-24 pectoral fin rays; 7 branchiostegal rays; V in D 2.4-2.5; scale patch on cheek only on head; scales on operculum absent; upper preopercular pore absent; separate opening for the first and second lower preopercular pore; elongated otolith, its length to height 2.1, sulcus straight and short, its otolith length to sulcus length 2.1, fused colliculi; maxilla slightly expanded posterio-ventrally; anterior anal fin pterygiophore is variable in length (Ref. 76869).