Diagnosis: mouth subinferior; two pairs of long barbels, anterior pair reaching to posterior half of eye, posterior pair reaching beyond posterior eye border; lateral line complete and straight; 27-30 scales in lateral line; 4.5 scales between lateral line and dorsal fin origin; 4.5 scales between lateral line and mid-belly; 2.5-3 scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin base; 12 scales around caudal peduncle; posterior margin of dorsal fin concave; 8 branched dorsal fin rays; last simple dorsal-fin ray flexible and smooth on hind margin, as long as head; no black spots; more or less distinct dark band along middle of sides (Ref. 2940, 81282, 81639). Maximum reported size 85 mm SL (Ref. 81639).

Description: medium-sized species; D:III,8; A:III,5 (Ref. 2940, 81282, 81639). Scales radially striated; dorsal fin with concave border, last simple ray flexible, not serrated, as long as head (Ref. 81639).

Coloration: back dark; well pigmented black mid-lateral band, tangential to lateral line and extending onto snout; fins clear yellow in life (Ref. 2940, 81282, 81639).