Diagnosed from all congeners from Java, Sumatra and Borneo by the combination of the following features: lateral line scales 32-33+2-3; absence of black blotch on caudal peduncle; presence of a faint dark lateral stripe running over the lateral line for its entire length, more conspicuous on caudal peduncle; pigments on scale pockets forming crescentic mark, with apex pointing forwards; 4 barbels, mandibulary one about half of eye diameter, snout ones minutes, barely distinct; pectoral fin extending about 2/3 to 4/5 of distance to pelvic -fin origin; pelvic fin extending to anal-fin origin, or at least ¾ distance to anal-fin base; dorsal-fin tip reaching extending vertical through anal-fin origin; anus, when folded backwards; rows of scales between lateral line and dorsal fin origin 5½; anal fin extending to caudal-fin base; or at least ¾ of distance to caudal-fin base; straight and narrow sheath edge of lower jaw; snout side with longitudinal groove broadly interrupted medially, not meeting homologous groove of other side of head (Ref. 75626).

Description: D iii,8½, the last two rays articulating on same pterygiophore ; A iii,5½ , the last two rays articulating on same pterygiophore; P i+14-15; V i+8 (Ref. 75626).