This species is characterized by the following: D 11-13 (usually 12); A 8-9 (usually 8); P I,14-16 (usually I,15); predorsal scales 26-30; number of scales in an oblique (antrorse) row between the origin of the dorsal fin and the lateral line 8½-9 (usually 8½); total number of gill rakers on the first arch 19-22 (5-7 + 14-16); total number of vertebrae 41-43 (27-29 + 13-16), usually 42-43 (28 + 14-15); snout short (especially in juveniles); upper jaw not pointed anteriorly; lower jaw is shorter than upper jaw or of equal size (in a single fish 11.75 cm SL, the lower jaw is slightly protruding before upper jaw; no chin barbel in all but the smallest juvenile 4.7 cm SL, which has very short, barely noticeable flattened barbel; jaw teeth numerous, small to medium (not visible to barely visible with the naked eye), tricuspid and with additional cusps, sometimes with small admixture of conical teeth; juveniles (4.7-6.3 cm SL) with only conical teeth; jaw teeth of fish 4.7-12.5 cm SL arranged in two rows, while in larger ones (16.5-18.3 cm SL), teeth in 3-4 rows; palatine teeth in > 11.5 cm SL are rather large and numerous (Ref. 130199).