This species is distinguished by the following characters: tail 52% and head 11-14% of TL; body cylindrical for most of its length; dorsal fin arising well behind pectoral-fin tips; pectoral fins moderately elongate, about 3-6 times in HL; snout moderate; about 3.0 in jaw; jaws elongate, about 2.1-3.0 in head; lower jaw extending beyond snout tip; nostrils in very short tubes in upper lip and closely associated; cirri of labial fringe minute on lips of subadults, absent in large adults; center of eye behind anterior 30% of jaw; interorbital space narrow, less than orbit width; dorsal head profile nearly flat from level of midjaw to snout tip; nape and cheeks swollen, narrowing anteriorly from level of midjaw; cephalic pores inconspicuous; free sensory neuromasts not visible on nape; teeth conical; purplish brown when alive; lateral-line and cephalic pores (except mandibular) surrounded by fine dark punctations.