Diagnosis: last simple dorsal-fin ray smooth on hind margin; head elongate; scale formula 3.5-4.5/26-29/4.5; 2.5 scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin base; 12 scales around caudal peduncle; 7-8 branched dorsal fin rays; caudal peduncle deeper than B. anniae (ratio caudal peduncle depth/head length over 50%); two pairs of fairly long barbels; anterior barbel reaching to, or extending beyond, posterior half of eye; posterior barbel extending beyond hind margin of eye; lateral line complete and weakly depressed below dorsal fin; maximum reported size 105 mm SL; 3 large well defined spots on sides, 1st before level of dorsal-fin origin, 2nd slightly behind vertical line from last dorsal-fin ray, 3rd at end of caudal peduncle; average distance between centres 2nd-3rd spot/distance between centres 1st-2nd spot (= RDT) is 1.14-1.22; fins colorless in life; adults with larger spots (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Description: dorsal profile slightly convex, with pointed head; some lines of cephalic pores more or less visible on the head; D: III,(7)8; A: III,5 (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Coloration: 3 rounded, well defined spots along middle of sides, 7th or 8th scale above lateral line, 2nd behind vertical line from last dorsal-fin ray, 3rd at end of caudal peduncle; lateral-line scales as well as those above, and those in the 2 rows below lateral line, lined with melanophores (Ref. 2940, 81282).