Can be distinguished from other species of the genus by possessing the following unique combination of characters: distinct secondary rostrum present; complete post-oral pouch present; body dark brown with 8 pale yellowish bars, head dorsum dark brown with thin pale yellowish reticulate pattern; subopercular groove absent; gill slit vertical; sublacrymal groove present; a truncate snout when viewed dorsally; abdomen without scales; lateral line scales 59-66; pelvic fin not overlapping anal fin origin, adpressed dorsal fin not overlapping anal fin origin (Ref. 57871).