Diagnosis: head short; eyes in dorsal position, at about midpoint of head length; barbels long and slender, extending beyond hind margin of head; branchiostegal membrane deeply notched; predorsal distance (=distance from head to dorsal fin) over 20% of standard length; dorsal-fin base above, or slightly ahead of pelvic-fin insertions; fins rounded, their principal simple ray shorter than the adjacent branched rays; a long urogenital papilla in males, its length over 5% of standard length; caudal peduncle short and deep; caudal fin slightly forked (Ref. 57128).

Description: 6+7 principal caudal fin rays (Ref. 57128)

Coloration: characteristic colour pattern of large brown or black blotches and 4-5 paler cross-bars on back; lower sides mottled, belly light; black cross-bar on distal half of dorsal-fin rays; other fins clear; tips of caudal-fin lobes black; black band before eyes, not always visible (Ref. 57127).