Diagnosis: dorsal-fin base distinctly ahead of pelvic-fin insertions; distance from head to dorsal fin less than 20% of standard length; caudal-peduncle length less than 1.5 time its depth; branchiostegal membrane slightly notched; interorbital space about 40% of head length (Ref. 57128).

Description: body rather stocky; caudal peduncle short and deep; head long and depressed, its lateral profile angular; eyes small, rather wide-spaced; interorbital space 3.5-4.3 times the eye diameter; mouth broad, subterminal and straight; barbels simple and slender, the maxillary pair extending beyond pectoral-fin base; pectoral and pelvic fins well developed, the pectorals not reaching to pelvic-fin bases, pelvic fins not reaching to anal-fin origin; adipose fin short, moderately high and rounded; caudal fin forked, with pointed lobes and a well developed, crenulate, fringe at base; 6+7 principal caudal fin rays (Ref. 57128).

Coloration: back and head dark brown, covered with black spots; a light, narrow and horizontal band extends from base of pectoral fin to above anal-fin base; fins clear, with brown rays and a black band at tip (Ref. 57128).