Distinguished by its unique color pattern by having large number of dark blotches scattered

on the body, blotches unequal in size and with irregular margins. Blotches usually arranged in transverse dark bars and disrupted by lighter markings in small specimens (up to 6 cm SL) and in gradually larger specimens (6-8 cm SL), bars fragmenting forming blotches that become separated and irregularly scattered in large specimens (from 8 cm SL). Can be diagnosed also by having the following combination of characters: an elongate snout

(especially in larger specimens), snout length 35-50% (mean 43%) of head length (snout length 47-50%, mean 48%, of head length, in specimens larger than 8 cm SL); mouth sub-terminal in specimens up to 10 cm SL to sub-inferior in specimens from 10 cm SL; dental formula ¾; 35 to 37 scales in lateral line, 4/3.5-4.5 transversal series of scales, and 12 circumpeduncular scale series (Ref. 80699).