This species is distinguished by the following characters: without a large, scaly, tubercular swelling anterior to anus; pelvic-fin rays 15; absence of enlarged scutes at snout tip; presence of prominent open pores along cephalic sensory canals; mandibular rami is almost entirely naked except for posterior portions; with scaly patches on lower portions of branchiostegal rays; body scales covered with long, moderately reclined, needle-like spinules in convergent rows; D1 II,10-11; pectoral-fin rays i22-i27; inner gill rakers on first arch 9; upper jaw length 31-32% HL. Colour of first dorsal fin blackish and the oral cavity pale (Ref. 123356)