Snout about equal to orbit diameter; anterolateral margin incompletely supported by bone; orbit about equal to postorbital length; upper jaw extends to beyond vertical through middle of pupil, not restricted at lateral corners; barbel long, slightly shorter than orbit diameter; subopercle with narrow pointed ventral tip. Light organ extends from anus almost to isthmus. Anus immediately before anal fin. Naked areas on head include underside of snout and lower jaws, nasal fossae, and most of suborbital region. Body scales covered with needlelike spinules arranged in 10-14 more-or-less parallel rows, the individual spinules separate and non-overlapping. First dorsal and pelvic fins with distinct black tips; branchiostegal membrane with pronounced black blotch dorsally; posterior end of anal black; mouth pale.