Diagnosis: head length 35.6-36.8 %SL; lachrymal 17.7-19.1 % head length; snout length 28.6-29.8 % head length; lower jaw length 38.1-40.0 % head length; premaxillary pedicel length 29.3-30.5 % head length; cheek depth 17.1-18.1 % head length; eye diameter 35.8-37.8 % head length; interorbital width 17.6-18.6 % head length; 17-21 gill-rakers on lower limb of first arch (Ref. 55898).

Description: small and relatively elongate species; dorsal body profile more strongly convex than ventral profile; snout pointed and angular; mouth large; gape inclined at about 15° to horizontal; maxilla extending beyond vertical at anterior margin of eye; outer oral teeth small, bicuspid and close-set anteriorly, becoming unicuspid and more widely set posteriorly; inner oral teeth shouldered tricuspid; 1-3 series of scales on cheek; upper margin of eye almost touching dorsal head profile; lower pharyngeal jaw normal in shape; all pharyngeal teeth fine; gill-rakers on lower limb short and slender (Ref. 55898).

Coloration: Preserved: Females and immature males: body pale brownish yellow; 6-7 faint vertical bars below dorsal fin; all fins pale; dorsal fin with some faint spots; spots merged into oblique bars in soft dorsal (Ref. 55898). Mature male: dark snout, lips, chin and belly; dorsal fin with grey base, white submarginal band, and dark lappets and tips; dark oblique bands in soft dorsal; anal fin dark; ventral fin with dark leading edge (Ref. 55898).