This species belongs to a phenotypic group which is distinguished by the following characters: thickened and serrated last unbranched dorsal fin ray, a low number of scales in the lateral series (? 27), and a yellow, orange or reddish blotch on operculum; differs from E. kerstenii and all congeners from Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda by short anterior (15.8-35.1% of snout length, not reaching anterior margin of the eye) and posterior (63.2-95.7% of snout length, extending between the middle of the eye and the posterior margin of the eye) barbels; differs further by a short predorsal length, 49.6-56.3 % of SL, short pelvic-fin length, 16.9-20.7% of SL, not reaching to anal-fin origin; short pectoral-fin length, 17.4-21.2% of SL, not reaching to pelvic-fin origin; branched pectoral-fin rays 14-15; circumpeduncular scales 11; serrae 10-19 on posterior margin of last unbranched dorsal fin ray (Ref. 132497).