This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: strongly depressed head; a tubercle between eyes; numerous, densely-set granules covering whole body except abdominal area; small tubercles especially on head; tubercles in dorsal row 26-29, ventral row 21-24, upper lateral row up to 20 (smaller on caudal peduncle), in lower one 10 and are tiny; chin barbel slightly compressed with thick base, longer than half eye diameter; D1 IV; origin of D2 behind anal origin; transverse rows of neuromasts on flank usually 20-22; a dark spot often in front of D2; sides with dark blotches and irregular dots (Ref. 59043).