The following combination of characters separate this species from all its congeners: caudal peduncle distinct, long and shallow; lateral line incomplete; lateral-line pored scales ceasing after 5th or 6th lateral-line scale; 22-24 scales in lateral series; ½3/1/3½ transverse scale rows; no barbels; lips well developed with a distinct lateral fold on snout; first ceratobranchial with 13-14 rakers; dorsal fin origin closer to the snout tip than to base of the caudal peduncle; 5 predorsal neural spines; dark-black humeral spot covering 3rd and 4th lateral-line scales and extending to one scale above the lateral-line row; caudal peduncle with two black blotches with first one distinct, covering 16th-18th scale in lateral series, and second one hazy, covering 20th-22nd scales in lateral series (Ref. 96889).