This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 58; A 39; caudal rays 18; lateral-line scales 68 (including 8 anterior to upper end of gill opening); vertebrae 32; dorsal pterygiophores anterior to fourth neural spine 15; body depth 2.6 in SL; head length 3.65 in SL; snout length 3.05 in head length; with a row of 13 lappet-like cirri on ventral margin of head; with caudal peduncle, its depth 6.4 in head length; caudal fin rounded, 3.7 in SL; longest dorsal ray 1.6 in head length; colour in alcohol pale beige, scales narrowly rimmed with brown; 3 longitudinal rows of diffuse dark brown blotches on body; unmarked fins; color when fresh pale yellow, the dark markings more heavily pigmented; head and body with large irregular white blotches, varying from nearly round (most larger than eye) to vermiculate; median fins with transparent membranes, the rays yellowish, spotted with dark brown and white; dorsal and anal fins with a row of large irregular white blotches on about basal half; pelvic fins are white; lips and eyes whitish, the pupils rimmed in light yellow; cirri ventrally on head white (Ref. 95111).