Diagnosis: head length 33.4-37.0 % SL; snout length 26.1-30.9 % head length; lower jaw length 38.4-39.9 % head length; premaxillary pedicel length 29.0-30.5 % head length; lachrymal 17.2-20.6 % head length; eye 38.2-39.9 % head length; interorbital width 21.2-22.0 % head length; 16-18 gill-rakers on lower limb of first arch (Ref. 55898).

Description: relatively small species; dorsal body profile more convex than ventral body profile; dorsal head profile slightly convex, in some specimens clearly convex between eyes; snout short, pointed and angular; mouth large and relatively steep angled; gape inclined at more than 20° to horizontal; maxilla extending beyond vertical at anterior margin of eye; outer oral teeth bicuspid; inner oral teeth unicuspid or tricuspid shouldered; 2-3 series of scales on cheek; eye large; upper margin of eye touching dorsal head profile; lower pharyngeal jaw normal; pharyngeal teeth fine (Ref. 55898).

Coloration: Preserved: body brownish with an iridescent sheen; 6-7 dark vertical bars below dorsal fin; snout and chin dark; all fins pale; some specimens show faint vertical bars on soft dorsal fin (Ref. 55898).