Diagnosis: labial disk rather small (although larger than that of C. benuensis), transversally oval, provided with thick papillae and very long barbels; 3-5 auxiliary barbels on either side of lower lip and often another one at inner side of main outer mandibular barbel; premaxillary teeth well developed and arranged in 3-4 irregular rows; mandibular teeth large, numbering 3+3 to 4+4; adipose fin long, beginning distinctly ahead of anal-fin origin; caudal peduncle not very elongate, moderately slender; caudal fin slightly notched/moderately forked, lower lobe longer than upper; eye large; largest specimens have epidermic tubercles arranged in longitudinal lines on top of head; no obvious sexual dimorphism noted (Ref. 57223, 81251). Pupil of eye with flattened upper margin and contractile in living specimens (Ref. 81251).

Coloration: fresh specimens with dark vertical bars on sides, separated by paler areas; ventral region entirely pink or salmon-coloured (Ref. 57223, 81251).