The eyes, which sit dorso-laterally on the head, are small, with well-defined margins and distinct, integument-covered lenses.

The spots, from which the species was named, are present on the dorsal surface and appear as dark brown, irregular blotches.

[1] Presently, S. ix is only known from its type locality, which is an unnamed tributary of the Rio Curuá in the lower Amazon basin near Alenquer, Pará State, Brazil.

[1] The holotype of this species was collected from a lotic area in a small stream which was approximately 5m wide and less than 1m deep.

[1] S. ix was found to co-occur with 15 other species of fishes from orders such as the Characiformes, Perciformes, and other catfishes (Siluriformes).