Differs from congeners in having a unique combination of the following characters: a distinct dark tympanic spot and three brown stripes separated by pale narrow longitudinal lines on the sides of the body; cranial fontanel reaching the base of the occipital process; a long-based adipose fin contacting the base of the last dorsal-fin ray anteriorly; 16-19 gill rakers on the first branchial arch; a slender cleithral process; pectoral spine with 9-11 serrations on the posterior edge; eye small with diameter 16.5-19.8 % HL; pectoral and anal fins with 9-10 and 8-9 branched rays respectively; and short maxillary barbel (200.0-235.0 % HL) (Ref. 88771).

Description: Dorsal fin with spinelet, spine, and seven branched rays; anal fin with iii-v, 8-9 rays, anterior two simple rays minute, visible in alizarin stained specimens; first branchial arch with 16-19 gill rakers (Ref. 88771).