Compared to species of its own complex, it can be distinguished by the combination of its shallow body depth (ranging from 26.9-29.7% of SL), and smaller interorbital width (26.9-30.4% of its head length).

The species name comes from the Greek mikroschemos, meaning "low stature", which refers to the shallow body depth of the animal.

Its maxilla extends posteriorly to vertical through the anterior margin of the orbit, being aligned at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal body axis.

The distal margin of the dorsal fin is nearly straight, its origin being at the middle of the fish's standard length.

The caudal fin finds itself forked, with lobes of equal size and possessing 19 principal rays.

[3] In alcohol, the dorsal and dorsolateral portions of the fish's head and its body are a dark brown colour.

It possesses dark chromatophores scattered on the lateral portion of its head, which are more concentrated on its snout and the anterior border of its eye.

Scales on the midlateral surface of its body are bordered with dark brown chromatophores which form a reticulate pattern.