Description: Body strongly compressed, its depth 3.50-4.25 times in total length; head 4-5 times in total length, its width 2/3 of its length (Ref. 1878). Caudal peduncle 1.5 times as long as deep (Ref. 1878). Snout rounded and not fleshy or warty; eye perfectly lateral, in middle of head, 4.5-5.0 times in head length; interorbital width 3/5 of head length; width of mouth, with lips, 2.5-3.0 times in head length; both lips with several rows of papillae, those of the outer row conical and forming a fringe; edge of rostral flap entire; a minute barbel hidden under folds of skin; tubercles on snout small (Ref. 4967). Dorsal fin with 3 spines and 10-12 soft rays, equally distant from centre or anterior border of eye and from caudal fin, notched, longest ray as long as head length; anal fin with 3 spines and 5 soft rays, not reaching caudal fin; pectoral fin as long as head length, not reaching pelvic fin, the first ray of which falls below 4th or 5th ray of dorsal fin; caudal fin emarginate, crescentic (Ref. 1878). Scales on lateral line 38-40, 4-5 scales between lateral line and pelvic fin; 16-18 scales around caudal peduncle (Ref. 1878).

Colouration: Olive-brown above, lighter beneath (Ref. 1878).