Diagnosis: body very elongate; head length 3.9-4.4x SL; scale formula 4.5-5.5/49-54/-; 7-8 scales between anus and anal-fin base; 14-16 scales around caudal peduncle; 10-12.5 scales between posterior end of adipose and caudal fin base; pectoral fins usually extend beyond pelvic-fin bases; dorsal-fin origin behind level of pelvic-fin insertions; 9-10 anal fin branched rays; 13-14 dorsal fin branched rays; 13-16 pectoral fin branched rays; 9-10 pelvic fin branched rays; fins, including adipose fin, colourless, but often dark spot at base of each caudal-fin lobe and small spot in antero-dorsal region of dorsal fin; 7-11 cross-bars present on back; 4-7 separate spots along lateral line (Ref. 2936, 86396).

Description: snout rounded; body elongate and rather low; eyes in dorso-lateral position; interorbital space narrow (11.4-16.1% head length); head length 22.8-25.9% SL; 8 or 9 bicuspid teeth in upper jaw; population in Niger Delta with reduced number of scales on lateral line (45-47) (Ref. 2936, 86396).

Coloration: longitudinal series of small spots often visible below lateral line in large specimens (Ref. 2936, 86396).