This species can be distinguished by the following set of characters: canal pore system with only SOT and paired PITO pores; dorsal/anal fin-ray formula of 9/8; 1 or more pectoral-fin rays are branched; the fifth pelvic-fin ray is rudimentary; with 2 diagonal dark-brown bars across pectoral-fin base; first dorsal fin crossed by 2 wide black bars, the second dorsal fin with 3 fully black vertical bars extending up from base of fin, and a smaller fourth bar at end of posterior fin rays (Ref. 122933).