This species is distinguished by the following characters: last unbranched ray of the dorsal fin is flexible and devoid of serrations along its posterior edge; differs from its congeners by the presence of two pairs of barbels; complete lateral line with 26-29 scales; circumpeduncular scales 12; D III,7; with a longitudinal series of black spots, sometimes confluent, on the flank above the lateral line; pre-dorsal scales 12-13; scales between the lateral line and the middle of the belly, 4.5-5.5 (Ref. 132400).

Description: head long 27.0-31.0% HL (mean: 28.5); predorsal distance long, 52.3-56.3% SL (mean: 53.8); dorsal-fin base length short, 11.6-14.2% SL (13.0); pre-pectoral distance long 27.1-31.3% SL(29.2); dorsal-fin height short, 17.8-23.6% SL (21.1); post-anal I distance short,

26.7-30.3% SL (28.8); inter-orbital width broad, mainly for larger-sized specimens (>55 mm LS), due to its positive allometry, 40.2-52.9% HL (45.7) (Ref. 132400).