This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D 4-5; pectoral-fin rays 11-13; rostrum short to medium length (6.4%-11.3% SL) and usually directed slightly anterodorsally and recurved; body covered with large, low, blunt conical bucklers; posterior portion of skull with 4 large principal bucklers; broad naked areas on shoulder and around gill cavity; ventral surface of disk is covered with small, similarly shaped bucklers, distinctly larger and denser on breast than belly; subopercular buckler with a prominent, forwardly directed spine; orbit moderate in size, 12.2%-14.9% SL; interorbital space of moderate width, 5.5%-8.0% SL; OD/IO = 1.5-2.3, OD/RL = 1.2-2.0; anal fin not reaching caudal-fin base when fully adpressed (Ref. 123774).