Diagnosis: last simple dorsal-fin ray smooth on hind margin; head elongate; scale formula 4.5-5.5/24-28/3.5-4.5; 2.5-3.5 scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin base; 12 scales around caudal peduncle; 7-8 branched dorsal fin rays; caudal peduncle deeper than B. anniae (ratio caudal peduncle depth/head length over 50%); two pairs of barbels; anterior barbel not extending beyond centre of eye/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 90 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 1.23-1.26; fins red in life (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Description: dorsal profile convex, head pointed, mouth subterminal; two long and unequal pairs of barbels; D: III,(7)8; A: III,5; P:I,13-15; V: I,7(8) (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Coloration: ground color brownish, back darker; lateral-line scales, those in the 2 series below, and all scales above, marked with vertical crescent-shaped black bar; on the back, these bars are larger, occupying practically entire surface of scales; 3 round black spots aligned on sides, 1st on 5th and 6th scales above lateral line, 2nd behind vertical line from last dorsal-fin ray, 3rd at end of caudal peduncle; in some individuals the central, and also the anterior spot may be split in two, thus producing pattern of 5 spots; dorsal and caudal fin orange in life: pectoral and pelvic fins yellow-washed (Ref. 2940, 81282).