Description: Body robust (Ref. 52193). Head depressed; maxillary barbels moderate, mandibular barbels very short; teeth closely spaced, up to 12 (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 1 spine and 5-6 soft rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 7-9 branched rays; the serrated or barbed spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins are hallmarks of this species; caudal fin forked (Ref. 52193).

Colouration: Skin rough, with small white warts; dark brown with black shadows; caudal fin with splayed dark brown bands on either lobe (Ref. 52193).