The dorsocranium beneath the skin is entirely concealed by the epaxial trunk muscles. It possesses a short subopercular spine, often featuring a small second point below. There are no scales on the head and body. A funnel-shaped pit is present at the top of the pectoral-fin axil, containing glandular tissue that extends from the ventral pit margin onto the axil. There is no maxillary flap and the lower gill opening is situated well below the lower pectoral-fin base. Supraorbital tentacles are found above the posterior half of the eye and all five pectoral-fin radials are ossified. The dorsal fin comprises elements III, 19-22; anal-fin rays number 15-17; pectoral-fin rays range from 21 to 24; and there are 27 vertebrae.