This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI + I,14-15; A I,15-16; caudal fin is strongly lanceolate, and is longer than head length; longitudinal scales 80-86; transverse scales 24-26; body scales entirely cycloid; scaleless on head, including side of nape and upper opercle; when alive grayish-brown with 2 orange-brown stripes on head and body, short upper stripe, ending before soft dorsal fin, the lower stripe horizontally ovate, orange-brown spot on opercle, continuing as a pale body stripe from upper pectoral-fin base to middle of caudal-fin base; pectoral-fin base pale with small, rectangular dark orange-brown spot across middle portion; series of 8-11 small black spots or saddles on upper back (Ref. 114936).