Characterized by overall white body color with black saddles on head and nape; side of body with four black bars on side, including narrow bar at base of caudal fin; fully united pelvic fins, frenum present; rounded caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 29-37; presence of barbels on snout, tip of chin, and ventrally on lower jaw; mostly cycloid scales, some with weak ctenii; cheek and opercle without scales; deeply embedded nape scales; very short jaw, 11-13% SL; depth of body 5.0-7.8 in SL (Ref. 90102).