Diagnosis: broad premaxillary tooth plate (width 37.8-44.9% of head length); very broad mouth (50.3-59.5% of head length) as compared to snout length (which attains only 28.9-35.3% of head length)(Ref. 57126, 81642). Snout length less than 75% mouth width (Ref. 81642). Palatine dentition strongly developed even in juveniles; nasal barbels long (14.5-26.6% of head length)(Ref. 57126, 81642). Gill rakers long and smooth (Ref. 57126). Dorsal fin spine short, 12-17% SL, more than six times in SL; dorsal fin base short, 18-23% SL (Ref. 81642).

Description: nasal barbels present; very short first dorsal spine; well developed second spine, weakly denticulate along posterior margin; pelvic fin with 1 unbranched and 5 branched soft rays (Ref. 57126). Anal fin with 12-13 soft rays (Ref. 81642), 3-5 unbranched and 7-9 branched (Ref. 57126, 81642).

Coloration: coloration rather uniform; back darker than belly, with silvery reflections in live specimens; after preservation, head and back dark brown, belly whitish-creamy white; some individuals show a slightly marbled pattern; branches of sensorial system well visible on head (Ref. 57126, 81642).