Diagnosis: snout rounded with deep transverse furrow; scale formula: 37-39 (38 commonly observed); 4.5-6.5 (5.5 commonly observed, exceptionally 4.5); 3.5-4.5 (4.0 commonly observed); 16-20 (16 commonly observed); dorsal fin with 10-11 (10 commonly observed) branched rays; upper edge of dorsal fin always concave; 32-33 (32 commonly observed, exceptionally 31) vertebrae; ventral fin origin located under the 4th branched dorsal ray; genital opening close to anal fin origin; rarely a longitudinal band, but if present unflared (Ref. 81639).

Description: eyes supero-laterally positioned in posterior half of head and not visible in ventral view; outer border of upper lip entire, while that of lower lip is fringed, rostral lobe has denticulate free edge; two pairs of barbels, maxillary pair large and sometimes visible externally, rostral pair greatly reduced and concealed in rostral fold; caudal peduncle deep, 13.8-18.6% SL (Ref. 81639).

Coloration: in preservation, dark brown or grey dorsally, pale brown or yellowish white ventrally; fins greyish or blackish; according to Ref. 2988 this species is olive dorsally and whitish ventrally, with dark fins (Ref. 81639).