This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: pelvic fin rays 10; scales on body covered with long, reclined, needlelike spinules in discrete parallel rows, posteriormost spinules extending well beyond scale margin; almost completely naked on the underside of head; well-developed cephalic sensory pores, especially on mandibular and infraorbital canals; jaws with teeth in broad cardiform bands; long snout (31-34% HL), protruding well beyond upper jaw, oblique ventral profile; first dorsal fin uniformly dark with pale distal tip and the second spinous ray is not extremely elongated (height of first dorsal fin 99% HL); absence of prominent dark band encircling trunk (Ref. 91203).