This species is distinguished by the following characters: temporal sensory canal in sphenotic with two pores anterior to the branch that gives rise to infraorbital canal; upper tooth plate of branchial arch with three to four series of teeth; area at the corner of the mouth, ventral to

maxillary barbel, with a fleshy flap; no dark brown or black stripe transversally crossing the eye; ventral surface of head and trunk densely covered by small, not coalescent platelets; color pattern of the middle portion of its flank, composed by two or three dark brown or black patches, with first one below dorsal-fin, second one below adipose-fin base and third one, when present, diffuse, and on caudal peduncle base, patches decreasing in size posteriorly; with a poorly developed fleshy flap of skin at the corner of the mouth; presence of short opercular membrane, leaving the anteroventral portion of cleithrum exposed (Ref. 123578).