Diagnosed from all other Nilotic Labeo species by having only 5.5 scale rows between lateral line and mid-dorsal line (vs. 6.5 or more). Distinguished from all other African congeners except Labeo djourae and Labeo nunensis by the combination of the following characters: cylindriform body, transverse plicae on the inner surface of the lips, 5.5 scale rows between lateral line and mid-dorsal line, 39 to 41 scales in lateral line and 16 scales around the caudal peduncle. Differs from Labeo djourae from the Chad and Benue systems and Labeo nunensis from the Sanaga river in Cameroon by having a larger eye diameter (21.5-27.4% of head length vs. 14.5-20.8% in Labeo djourae and 14.0% in the type material of Labeo nunensis); from Labeo nunesis by the absence of anterior filament on dorsal fin (vs. presence); from Labeo djourae in having shorter snout (32.2-41.4 of HL vs. 46.7-55.9), smaller interorbital width (30.5-38.5 vs.35.0-50.0% of head length); and absence of emargination in the dorsal snout region (vs. prominence or presence) (Ref. 75742).

Description: dorsal fin with 4 unbranched and 10 branched rays; anal fin with 3 or 4 unbranched and 5 branched rays; pelvic fins with one unbranched, seven branched and again one unbranched ray; scale rows between lateral line and ventral fin 3.5-4.5 (Ref. 75742).