This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: all scales strongly ctenoid (rarely 4 or fewer predorsal scales cycloid); no axillary scale; 63-77 lateral-line scales, usually 65 or more; 22-27 scales below lateral line; 30-38 anal-fin rays; ratio of preanal length to anal-fin base length 1.04-1.27; ratio of pelvic-fin origin to anal-fin origin to anal fin base length 0.28-0.44; anterior light organ associated with pyloric caeca absent (Ref. 88976).