Diagnosis: lower pharyngeal jaw robust, with a large, non-heart-shaped but triangular dentigerous plate, covered with stout, sparsely arrayed teeth; oral dentition coarse; outer row teeth stout bicuspids; anterior gill rakers not markedly reduced in size (Ref. 26738, 81260). Snout acute (Ref. 81260). Ventral margin of lower lip smooth; gill rakers (12-14) stout and fleshy with a crenulate median membrane connecting outer and inner row rakers (Ref. 26738, 81260). Ratio of lower jaw length to lower jaw width usually < 1 (Ref. 81260). Upper jaw with 2-4, in lower jaw with 2-3 inner tooth rows (Ref. 26738, 81260).

Description: body moderately deep; lips fleshy but not very thick; very large specimens sometimes develop a small nuchal hump (Ref. 52307). Head length 34.2-36.8% SL; lower pharygeal jaw with curved tricuspid anterior teeth, bicuspid posterior teeth; ventral keel shorter than dentigerous plate; 3-4 rows of teeth in upper jaw, external teeth bicuspid (Ref. 81260).

Coloration: freshly collected specimens brown with a darker head and darker fins; lower lip bright white (Ref. 52307).