This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following unique characters: ventral midline plates between the anus and caudal peduncle has 2 longitudinal parallel rows of odontodes not covered by skin; all rays of pectoral and pelvic fins simple, unbranched; large specimens with odontodes in abdominal area between pelvic-fin bases and immediately anterior to genital papilla; mesethmoid has a thickened triangular anterior process; and larger specimens with small odontodes on first and second pelvic-fin rays (Ref. 79026).