Diagnosis: caudal peduncle relatively short, 3-4.2 times in SL and slender, length 8-16 times depth (Ref. 81646).

Description: body slender, depressed, tapered to caudal base; dorsal surface of head and forebody covered with short vermiculate unculi in both sexes; series of thin bony ridges along body, mid-dorsal from behind dorsal fin to caudal peduncle, mid-ventral from behind anal fin, dorso-lateral from posterior base of dorsal fin to caudal base, and ventro-lateral from alongside anal fin to base of caudal fin; intricate pattern of well-developed vermiculated unculi over dorsal surfaces of head and body of both sexes; caudal peduncle 2.6-4.2 times in SL, depressed, tapered to narrow bony neck before caudal base; head length 4.6-6.3 times in SL, obtusely pointed, depressed, flat below, dorsum bony; supraoccipital process short and wide; humeral process short, pointed; snout long, 50-63% HL, with bony median ridge; mouth subterminal, small, oval-shaped; upper lip fleshy and papillose, lower lips separated by triangular median pad; barbels short, tapered, papillose, maxillary pair longest, 36-72% HL; eyes small with bony orbits, interorbital width twice orbit diameter; branchiostegal membrane undivided, emarginated edge; origin of dorsal fin less than one head length behind head; dorsal fin base before origin of pelvics; dorsal fin pointed, with leading ray slender and stiff, trailing edge straight; pectorals expanded and pointed, leading ray curved, pectinate and padded, not reaching base of pelvics; pelvics pointed, leading ray curved, pectinate, reaching to base of anal fin; anal fin slender, trailing edge straight, not reaching caudal base; caudal fin small, forked with equal-sized pointed lobes; adipose fin short, rounded, positioned above posterior half of anal fin base; ano-genital pores closer to pelvic base than anal fin; males with conical papilla; twin bi-lateral series of visible pores along the body (Ref. 81646).

Coloration: variable, usually five broad dark greyish brown bands over dorsal surface separated by lighter saddle patches, ventral surface anterior to pelvic fins light creamy brown; supraoccipital process shaded lighter, usually conspicuous; pores on body often highlighted by dark grey surrounds; fins with brown rays and black mid-distal band (Ref. 81646).