This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: nape with greatly expanded black nuchal flap on both sides; 10-13 independently based cirri distributed between the nuchal flaps; dorsal fin entire; 5-6 total supraorbital cirri, 6-8 total nasal cirri; males with small dark spots posteriorly on body coalescing into short black stripes on caudal peduncle; females with brilliant yellow caudal fin (pale when preserved; contrasting sharply with dark brown body); in males the outer half of caudal fin is brilliant yellow (Ref. 85156).