Differs from all congeners from Java, Sumatra and Borneo by its head top with conspicuous anterodorsal projection, somewhat in front of the eye, covered by small tubercles. Additional characters useful to distinguish this species include: lateral line scales 31+3-4; absence of black blotch on caudal peduncle; presence of blackish to black subdistal posterior crescentic mark (apex pointing backwards) on most body scales; 2 barbels, less than eye diameter; pectoral fin extending slightly beyond pelvic-fin origin; pelvic fin extending base of anal fin; when folded backwards, dorsal-fin tip extending to or beyond vertical through anus; scale rows between lateral line and dorsal-fin origin 5½ (Ref. 75626).

Description: D iii,8½, the last two rays articulating on same pterygiophore ; A iii,5½ , the last two rays articulating on same pterygiophore; P i+16; V i+8 (Ref. 75626).