Diagnosis: body elongate and cylindrical, its depth comprised 6 or 7 times in standard length; head short and deep, its length over 5 times in standard length; dorsal-fin origin usually more or less above pelvic-fin insertions; caudal peduncle length 1.5-2 times its depth; anal fin with 7 or more branched rays; caudal fin with 7 + 8 principal rays (Ref. 57128).

Description: eyes very small and wide-spaced, positioned relatively far forwards on head; mouth broad and terminal, lips moderately fleshy; barbels long and filamentous, usually reaching to pectoral-fin bases; branchiostegal membrane divided by a deep ventral notch; postorbital part of head soft and fleshy, the lower-jaw muscles running before and behind eyes to their insertion points on top of head; these muscles become broader and swollen in mature males; dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins short and rounded, their anterior simple ray short and flexible; anal fin rather long, with 8-10 branched rays; adipose fin long, low and confluent with caudal fin; lateral line interrupted (Ref. 57128).

Coloration: upper parts of body uniformly dark brown, with lighter areas on belly; eyes appearing as 2 small black spots (Ref. 57128).