This species is distinguished by the following characters: 80-93 anteroventrally slanted oblique scale rows above lateral line; snout length 29.5-32.3% HL, slightly decreasing proportionally with growth; pectoral fin length 13.9-15.8% SL; pelvic fin length 22.1-28.5% SL; nasal bone with tubercles in larger specimens; dorsal surface of head with large, pale to dark-brown irregularly shaped spots, body without spots dorsally; pelvic fin with large brown spots (Ref. 86254).