This species is distinguished from its congeners by having 47-48 total vertebrae (vs. 42-46) and with 6 supraorbital pores (vs. 7 or 8). It further differs from C. braueri by teeth on the second ceratobranchial absent (vs. present); from C. microcephalus by 3-18 teeth on second basibranchial 18, rarely 2, often present on second hypobranchial (vs. usually no teeth on second basibranchial, rarely 1-3); from C. niger having by 89-95 lateral-line pores (vs. 86-90); from C. pluriradiatus and C. asper by having 13-14 pectoral-fin rays (vs. 15-16); no tiny dermal spinules on body in specimens larger than 48.7 mm (vs. spinules present), one fang on premaxillary head (vs. 2), 7 supraorbital pores (vs. 8 in C. pluriradiatus, 9 in C. asper); from C. subniger by having 13-16 (usually 14) infraorbital pores, infraorbital 1 pores seven to eight (vs. 11-13 infraorbital pores, infraorbital 1 pores five to six), snout elongate and pointed, 23.0-26.6% HL (vs. short and blunt, 21.4-23.9% HL), upper jaw 74.3-84.2% HL (vs. 63.9-72.7% HL); lower jaw 80.8-89.9% HL (vs. 69.0-76.7% HL), and 90-95 lateral-line pores (vs. 75-87) (Ref. 82429).