This species is distinct in having the following characters: entirely naked underside of head; blunt snout with broad naked areas dorsally behind leading edge; naked nasal fossa; orbit diameter 44-49% of HL; saddles on body obscure anteriorly, more prominent posteriorly; interspaces between saddles pale, narrow, occupying 1 or 2 scale rows on dorsomedian line and giving appearance of white spots when viewed dorsally; generally all fins are dark dusky to blackish; naked fossa of light organ extends forward close to line connecting pelvic-fin insertions; 19-26 pyloric caeca (Ref. 75874).