Diagnosis: large, well pronounced supraorbital process present on infraorbital IV, reaching rostral border of eye; fenestra between scapulo-coracoid and cleithrum present; no contact between entopterygoid and quadrate; pale spot present on skull roof between anterior and posterior fontanel; low number of dorsal (100-113) and anal (85-102) fin rays; pectoral spine only frequently serrate on posterior margin (Ref. 81644).

Description: body elongated, abdominal depth 5.7-7.5% SL (mean 6.9); long dorsal and anal fins, continuous with caudal fin; distance between supraoccipital process and dorsal fin 9.3-13.1% SL (mean 11.2); pectoral fins present, length between 52.2-85.8% skull length; pectoral spine serrations only frequent and distinct on posterior margin; pelvic fins absent; skull short, 12.0-13.8% SL (mean 13.0); skull width 68.4-73.4% skull length; skull roof (exposed bony part in between bulging jaw muscles) very narrow, 16.1-32.9% (mean 26.0) skull length; jaw muscles hypertrophied and bulging; eyes bordered by small infraorbital bones, of which the postorbital one has a plate-like outgrowth and bears a supraorbital process reaching rostral border of eye; eyes small, without free orbital rim; lower lip clearly shorter than upper lip (Ref. 81644).

Coloration: in life: body brown, anterior part gradually fades to a paler ventral side; a paler line in the middle, connecting the different pores of the lateral line system; alcohol preserved specimens have a paler appearance; well-defined pale spot on skull roof (Ref. 81644).