This species is distinguished from its congeners in the Indian subcontinent by the following set of characters: plicae on the ventral surface of the pectoral-fin spine and first pelvic-fin ray; body depth at anus 11.2-13.4% SL; posteriorly serrated dorsal-fin spine, its length 11.3-12.2% SL; thoracic adhesive apparatus is longer than broad, with a V-shaped median depression which opens posteriorly; arrow-shaped anterior nuchal plate element; adipose-fin base length 10.9-12.6% SL; dorsal-to-adipose distance 26.1-27.8% SL; post-adipose distance 17.7-19.7% SL; caudal peduncle depth 6.4-7.5% SL; serrae on posterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine 14-18; unculiferous ridges of adhesive apparatus do not extend anteriorly onto gular region; nasal barbel does not reach anterior orbital margin; densely tuberculated skin with numerous tubercles on the dorsal surface of pectoral and pelvic-fin rays. Colouration: body with two longitudinal pale-cream stripes (Ref. 130788).