Differs from M. barbata in having short nasal barbels reaching just behind posterior nostril; eye positioned on posterior half of head; first pectoral-fin ray shorter than posterior ones, its tip not forming a distinct filament; anal fin origin posterior of vertical through base of last dorsal-fin ray; posteriormost pore of each supraorbital canal united in the midline, composing a single median pore; frontal elongated anteriorly; fontanel not extending anteriorly beyond posteriormost supraorbital pore; anterior portion of sphenotic with a prominent lateral process; anterior palatine ossification absent; posterior process of palatine elongate, about 60% of palatine bony portion without posterior process; and supraorbital bone elongate, about three times as long as lacrimal (Ref. 53272).

Description: Dorsal-fin rays 9 (ii, 6, i); anal-fin rays 8 (iii, 4, i); pectoral fin rays 7 (i, 6); pelvic-fin rays 5 (i, 4) (Ref. 53272).