Differs from its congeners in Indochina by the combination of the following characters; processus dentiformis present; caudal fin with 9+8 branched rays; pelvic fin with 8 rays; complete lateral line; color pattern with 9-13 dark bars on body, regularly shaped and set; complete black bar at caudal fin base thin, reaching dorsal and ventral midlines in some specimens; axillary pelvic lobe present; pelvic fin situated under branched rays 1-2 of dorsal fin; body elongated and head depressed; caudal peduncle 1.2-1.4 times longer than deep; axillary pelvic lobe small; caudal fin slightly emarginate and bright red in life, orange to hyaline in preserved specimens (Ref. 40772).

Description: dorsal fin with 4 simple and 8 1/2 branched rays; anal fin with 3 simple and 5 1/2 branched rays (Ref. 40772).