This species is distinguished from its congeners (in Sri Lanka and the peninsular-India) by the following characters and character states: branched dorsal-fin rays 8; analfin origin on vertical through dorsal-fin origin; dorsal-fin base length 13.1-16.5% SL; uninterrupted P stripe 2 scales wide anteriorly, beginning between verticals through pectoral- and pelvic-fin origins; anterior bars on body are indistinct or absent; interstripes I and I + 1 are narrow, about ¼-? times width of P stripe; lower jaw with mediodorsal band of 2-3 rows of tubercles; rostral barbel 4.1-8.9% HL; body depth 20.4-23.5% SL; the first infraorbital smooth, without process; lateral-line scales 38-46; circumpeduncular scales 15-16 (Ref. 127711).