A species of the subgenus Swainia but distinguished from all other species of Swainia by having the following combination of characters: snout depth is less than snout length; the ratio of snout length to SL is greater than 7.5%; more than 72 pored lateral line scales (mode 76-80); breast is unscaled or partially scaled in males and females; lateral pigmentation on body with 12 to 15 vertically elongated distinct blotches, with seven or more of these blotches between the insertion of the second dorsal fin and the hypural plate; and usually 12 branchiostegal rays (6 on each side).