This species of Callionymus (subgenus Bathycallionymus) is distinguished by the following characters: possess a small branchial opening; short head (3.9 in SL); large eye (2.04 in HL); preopercular spine has a small antrorse barb and a larger antrorse spine, and a strong antrorse spine at its base, with smooth ventral margin; first dorsal fin slightly higher than second (male); second dorsal fin distally straight while caudal fin distally slightly pointed, with 2 median unbranched rays bearing short filaments; first dorsal fin has a basal black spot reaching from second to third membranes, third membrane with a distal black margin; second dorsal fin with vertical dark grey bars; anal fin distally black, the tip of fin rays also black (Ref. 93337).