Body moderately compressed, depth 2.7 (2.7–2.9) in SL,
width 7.4 (6.9–7.4) in SL, densely covered with modified
scales ending in spinous points. Lateral line with 11 tubes,
gently sloping posteroventrally to the midlateral, then
continuing in a generally straight course to the caudal base.
Tubed scales enlarged, but not armed with cirri; last scale
on the caudal base. Vertebrae 24.
Dorsal fin with anterior, middle and posterior portions
notably elevated; first interspace shallowly scalloped,
second deeply notched. First dorsal-fin spine insertion over
anterior third of eye in holotype, to posterior fourth of eye
in juvenile paratype. Dorsal-fin spines strong, rigid, but not
pungent; second longest, gradually decreasing in length to
fifth; sixth and seventh abruptly longer, gradually shorter
to the eleventh; twelfth slightly longer. First dorsal-fin ray
abruptly longer than last spine, 1.7 (1.5–1.7) times its length;
fourth ray longest. First 4 dorsal-fin rays with distal tips
strongly curved posteriorly. Dorsal-fin membrane weakly
incised, connected posteriorly to caudal peduncle less than
one pupil diameter anterior to upper caudal-fin base. Anal
fin with 2 soft flexible spines, first 1.4 (1.4–1.5) in length
of second, second 1.6 in length of first segmented ray; fourth
anal-fin ray longest; first 4 rays with distal tips strongly
curved posteriorly; membranes moderately incised. Caudal
fin rounded, with 16 (16–17) rays, the rays not protruding
from membrane. Pectoral fin rounded, thick and fleshy, tips
of median rays protruding from membrane, fourth or fifth
ray longest, reaching a vertical from base of last dorsal-fin
spine when adpressed. Pelvic fins with a firm but nonpungent
spine and 3 fairly robust rays, second ray easily
the longest, third or innermost ray shortest; longest pelvicfin
ray equal in length to fourth dorsal-fin spine, reaching
less than half distance to anus; pelvic-fin membrane not
adnate to body. All fin rays unbranched; most fin elements
and membranes variously covered with scales, modified to
form velvety prickles.