This species is distinguished by the following: body covered with fine bucklers and prickles forming a velvet-like integument; with black patches on body surface, including upper portion of eye; rostral spine short (x? = 4.0% SL), blunt and directed upward rather than forward; subopercular buckler small, several spinules at its tip; large eye (x? = 13.7% SL); narrow interorbital space (x? = 5.3% SL); anal fin reaching caudal fin base when fully laid back; D 5-7, usually six (5-7) and pectoral-fin rays 12-13 (rarely 11) (Ref. 124115).