This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D 4-6; pectoral-fin rays 10-13; rostrum pointed, needle-like, base small; subopercular buckler with few weakly-developed spinelets; small bucklers loosely covering posterior part of skull; orbit large (14.1%-16.8% SL); rostrum short (7.1%-11.2% SL), directed upward rather than forward; interorbital space is narrow (5.4%-7.1% SL); body covered with relatively sharp bucklers, in loose arrangement; interspaces between bucklers naked; OD/IO = 2.3-2.8, OD/RL = 1.3-2.1; anal fin not reaching caudal-fin base when fully appressed (based on short rostrum specimens only) (Ref. 123774).