This species in the spongiceps subgroup of Apristurus, is distinguished from all its congeners by the following set of characteris: an overall uniformly whitish 'porcelain' colored body with lighter colored anal and caudal-fin margins; a distinct white spot on tail tip (vs. a uniform dark brown to grayish, or blackish, body colouration, variably with blotches, flecks, spots, or squiggles, in all other spongiceps subgroup species, except A. albisoma and A. aphyodes with similar light coloration, but subtle differences); clasper hooks present (vs. absent); oral papillae absent or sparsely covering oral cavity roof (vs. distinct and densely covering oral cavity roof); dorsal caudal margin with widely spaced, non-overlapping dermal denticles (vs. closely spaced, overlapping denticles); lower tooth counts, 46-57 in upper jaw and 44-50 in lower jaw (vs. 56-71 and 49-70 respectively) (Ref. 125616).