This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 67-72; A45-47, all branched; lateral-line scales 81-86; vertebrae 35 or 36; dorsal pterygiophores anterior to 4th neural spine 14; body depth 2.4-2.55 SL; head length 4.2-4.55 SL; caudal-peduncle length 7.75-9.9 in head length; snout length 2.65-2.7 in head length; preorbital length 2.5-2.95 in head length; eye diameter 4.7-5.15 in head length; interorbital space 7.6-10.5 in head length; tubular anterior nostril reaching edge of eye when depressed posteriorly; longest dorsal ray 1.55-1.65 in head length; caudal fin 3.55-3.95 in SL; pelvic fins reaching base of 3rd anal ray, 1.85-2.15 in head length, scales with 7-10 cteni, not projecting very far beyond scale margins; front edge of predorsal snout with 2 or 3 rows of slender cirri; ventral edge of head with a row of broad lappet-like cirri and 1 or 2 rows of slender shorter cirri above; color in alcohol pale yellowish with many small irregular dark brown spots, some in a line on lateral line; whitish with a few small brown spots on fin rays (Ref. 74405).