Differs from all congeners from Java, Sumatra and Borneo by having the following characters: a small blackish blotch at the end of the caudal peduncle; subterminal mouth; narrow mouth, lips much less fleshy; median superficial (free) part of the lower lip not covering the lateral (deeper) parts; and ventral profile of the body more arched. Additional characters useful to distinguish this species include: lateral line scales 33-34+2-3; body plain, body scales with no conspicuous crescentic mark; 2 maxillary barbels, about equal to half of eye diameter; pectoral fin extending almost to pelvic-fin origin; pelvic fin extending between anus and anal-fin origin; when folded backwards, dorsal-fin tip extending vertical through origin of anal fin; scale rows between lateral line and dorsal-fin origin 5½ (Ref. 75626).

Description: D iii,7½-8½, the last two rays articulating on same pterygiophore ; A iii,5½ , the last two rays articulating on same pterygiophore; P i+14; V i+8 (Ref. 75626).