This species is distinguishec by the following characters: barbels are white to yellowish distally, with the tips usually extending beyond posterior margin of preopercle; upper jaw somewhat slender and shorter in specimens that are greater than 5.0 cm SL (upper-jaw length times maxillary depth 60.5-96.9%, mean 74.4% of SL]; second anal-fn soft ray is long, its length 47.2-55.2% (51.3%) of caudal-fn length; 2-3 very indistinct blackish vertical bands on trunk, the frst located under frst dorsal fin (most indistinct, sometimes absent), the second below inter-dorsal-fin space and the third below anterior part of second dorsal fin; a very indistinct blackish

saddle on upper caudal peduncle; dense melanophores uniformly distributed on the anal-fin membranes in most preserved specimens (Ref. 123210).