This species is distinguished by the following: total dorsal-fin elements 32-33; mode of D XX,13; A II,21 and Pectoral 13; a short orbital cirrus on each side and unbranched; females, immature males, and juveniles with nasal cirrus absent or shorter than nasal tube; first 3 dorsal-fin-spine bases close, first and second closest, widest gap between third and fourth; first spine longer or equal to second, third spine 1/2 to 3/4 of second and fourth spine shortest, forming notched dorsal-fin outline (in both sex and juveniles); small individuals (known up to 11.2 mm SL) with first and second dorsal-fin spines well shorter than 12th spine, when folded down straight first two spines reaching back to between the 4th and 6th spine base, first spine dark with light tip; all stages with last (or 2nd to last) dorsal spine shortest, ¼ to ½ longest soft ray; evenly dispersed stippling of fine black spots over cranium; midline melanophore stripe on snout extending back past posterior nostril; lower pectoral-fin-base dark spots (when present) comprising a broad and long oblique line slanting down or a mostly horizontal band across the lower half, and sometimes additional spots (Ref. 85868).