This species is distinguished by the following characters: presence of buckler in advance of D1 fin; no antrorse infraorbital spine; short anterior infraorbital spines (7-10% SL); moderate pectoral fin length (28-31% SL), first fin free ray length moderate (26% SL); large eye (34-36%HL); moderate snout length (13-14% SL); no scales on nape and breast, belly with scales; 12-14 gill rakers length moderate; body without dark pigmentation except for inner surface of pectoral fin black with clear edges and black spot on D1 (not visible on holotype) (Ref. 95016).