Diagnosis: head pointed, dorsal profile straight; elongated body; last simple dorsal-fin ray smooth on hind margin; scale formula 3.5/24-26/3.5(4.5); 2.5 scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin base; 12 scales around caudal peduncle; (7)8 branched dorsal fin rays; two pairs of barbels; barbels short, anterior not reaching to centre of eye, posterior not extending beyond hind margin of eye; lateral line complete and weakly depressed below dorsal fin; maximum reported size 55 mm SL; 3 large well defined spots on sides, 1st before level of dorsal-fin origin, 2nd behind vertical line from last dorsal-fin ray, 3rd at end of caudal peduncle; distance centres 2nd-3rd spot/distance centres 1st-2nd spot (= RDT) is 1.18-1.40, average 1.27 (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Description: snout rounded; mouth subterminal; D: III,(7)8; A: III,5; P: I,13; V: I,7 (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Coloration: body light brown, with fine band of melanophores on hind edges of scales; 3 spots on sides; 1st on 7th scale above lateral line, 2nd slightly behind vertical line from last dorsal-fin ray, and 3rd at end of caudal peduncle (Ref. 2940, 81282).