This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D 5-6; pectoral-fin rays 11-12; dorsal surface scattered with relatively stout bucklers, skin rough with prominent spinelets; rostral spine is pointed, directly more upward than forward; skin above eye with many small spiny bucklers; bucklers on posterior part of skull are small; ventral surface covered with

small bucklers and fine tubercles; subopercular buckler with small spinelets along its margin, none directed forward; rostral spine long, 8.1%-11.1% SL; orbit large 12.5%-14.2% SL; interorbital space narrow, 5.1%-7.1% SL; OD/IO = 1.8-2.7, OD/RL = 1.3-1.7; anal fin just reaching base of caudal fin when appressed (Ref. 123774).