Esca with compressed posterior and anterior crests; anterior margin of vomer nearly straight; minute skin spines present over most of body (Ref. 13608). Branchiostegal rays 6 (Ref. 36493). Caudal-fin rays 8. Scales are cone-shaped, hollow and translucent; with circular base and a free edge pointing towards the caudal region. Left otolith, oblong shape with regular edges, inner face does not present rostrum, antirostrum or cisure (Ref. 41244).

Distinguishing characteristics of metamorphosed female: least outside width between frontals 13.5-28.6% SL; upper jaw with 48-134 teeth, lower jaw 32-78 teeth; length of longest tooth in lower jaw 8.4-25% SL; width of pectoral fin lobe 10.7-17.8% SL; width of escal bulb 4.3-8.6% SL; length of illicium 32.4-60.8% SL; skin with minute spinules over most of body; relatively thick integument 1.55 mm (Ref. 86949). Distinguishing characteristics of metamorphosed male: upper denticular with 9-13 ventrally directed anterior teeth and posteromedial series of 8-11 teeth; lower denticular 12-24 teeth; posterior nostril contiguous with eye; at most 24 olfactory lamellae; skin naked or spinulose (Ref. 86949).