Diagnosis: Head rectangular in dorsal outline; snout broadly rounded; eyes dorsally located; frontal fontanelle `knife-shaped'; occipital fontanelle very long and oval-shaped; the `dermosphenotic' and supraorbital bones become joined in specimens of 80-90 mm standard length; tooth plates relatively small; dorsal and anal fins not confluent with caudal fins; gill rakers relatively long, slender and distantly set; openings of the secondary sensory canals arranged in regular pattern on the flanks (Ref. 248). Characterised by a relatively small, short head, 4-5 times in standard length, long barbels reaching to behind the head, and an elongated slender body with a long anal fin (Ref. 52193).

Description: Dorsal fin with 71-94 rays; anal fin with 60-89 rays; pectoral fin spine with barbs along outer and inner edges; origin of anal fin nearer tip of snout than base of caudal fin (Ref. 52193). Gill rakers spaced, 13-19 on first gill arch; suprabranchial organ reduced, not filling chamber, with thick stubby branches (Ref. 52193).

Colouration: Usually mottled, black or dark brown; lateral line may be marked in white (Ref. 52193).