This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: a row of thorns (strongly hooked) on mid-dorsum of tail; a pair of thorns on anterior part of scapular region (apparent to touch in smallest specimen; 161 mm TL); thorns on orbital, nape and scapular regions not encircled by light yellow or white pigment; dorsal surface covered with minute dermal denticles of uniform size and shape, no obvious larger dermal denticles (smooth to touch) (Ref. 86259).