The popeye grenadier is similar to the threadfin grenadier. Pacific grenadier, and the giant grenadier. It can be distinguished from all these by a combination of the small size, light gray-brown coloration, distinct single spinule on snout, smaller mouth with maxilla to about rear portion of eye, and naked suborbital region lacking embedded scales. Length and counts of pyloric caeca are diagnostic for this species, which has 5-8 caeca shorter than orbit; other species have 10 or more caeca that are longer than orbit.