Diagnosis: last simple dorsal-fin ray smooth on hind margin; head massive in adults; dorsal profile arched; scale formula 3.5/21-25/3.5; 2.5 scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin base; 12 scales around caudal peduncle; 7-8 branched dorsal fin rays; two pairs of long barbels; anterior barbel reaching to, or extending beyond, posterior half of eye; posterior barbel extending beyond hind margin of eye; lateral line complete and weakly depressed below dorsal fin; maximum reported size 100 mm SL; 3 large well defined spots on sides, 1st before level of dorsal-fin origin, 2nd slightly behind vertical line from last dorsal-fin ray, 3rd at end of caudal peduncle; average distance centres 2nd-3rd spot/distance centres 1st-2nd spot (= RDT) is 1.05-1.11 (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Description: body rather deep; head massive; dorsal profile strongly convex and slightly depressed above eye; D: III,(7)8; A: III,5 (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Coloration: 3 black spots aligned on sides, 1st above 4th or 5th lateral-line scale, 2nd slightly behind vertical line from last dorsal-fin ray, and 3rd at end of caudal peduncle; spots may vary in size, and there may be additional spots between the 3 typical ones; centres of lateral-line scales as well as those above and below lateral line, are marked with vertical black bar; back dark (Ref. 2940, 81282).