This species is distinguished by the following characters: no scales on midline of interorbital space throughout life; longitudinal scale series 43-49 (mean 45.9); head length 39.7-44.1% (42.4%) of SL; snout length 12.9-19.1% (15.8%) of SL; head depth 21.0-25.1% (23.0%) of SL; tip of tentacle on posterior spine of lacrimal not extending beyond level of posterior margin of maxilla (sometimes extending slightly beyond in juveniles); upper margin of orbit higher than or level with base of first dorsal spine (in lateral view) in adults, lower than in young; top of bulge on snout well below ventralmost margin of orbit (in lateral view) in adults, located between levels of ventralmost margins of pupil and orbit in young (Ref. 54479).