This species is distinguished by the following characters: pectoral fins 15-16 (left-right side); gill rakers 7 + 22 = 29; lateral-line scales 27. Measurements in % SL: body depth at first dorsal-fin origin 30 and at anus 24; caudal-peduncle depth 11; maximum head depth 26; head depth through eye 22; interorbital length 8.8; head length 32; snout length 16; postorbital length 11; orbit length 7.2; upper jaw length 12; barbel length 24; caudal-peduncle length 24; caudal-fin length 29; anal-fin height 15; pelvic-fin length 24; pectoral-fin length 24; first dorsal-fin height 20; second dorsal-fin height 13; the dorsal head margin in front of eyes concave; posterior maxilla margin evenly and symmetrically rounded. Colouration: body and head mostly cinnabar red, the body becoming lighter below lateral line from orange red to rose on underside; faint dusky spot on the lateral line below interdorsal space with an orange blotch behind; below lateral line are 4 yellow stripes, the two dorsal-most stripes following contour of lateral line; opercular and preopercular margins are cinnabar red; scales below lateral line with contrasting cinnabar-red edges; second dorsal fin cinnabar red proximally with broad yellow distal margin; anal fin is mostly yellow with 3 rose bands; caudal fin cinnabar red with innermost distal area orange red; barbels are pale rose whitish; fish is pale brown with darker opercle when preserved (Ref. 119514).