Diagnosis: caudal peduncle relatively long, its depth slightly larger than the horizontal distance between the adipose and caudal fin bases (never twice as large); anterior edge of pectoral spine smooth, except for a few serrations distally; preorbital head length greater than maximum head depth (measured to end of supraoccipital process), lending the snout an elongate appearance; interorbital distance 22-25% HL; orbital diameter maximally 2 times in interorbital distance; numerous small spots on body and fins; spots on head usually smaller than those on flanks (Ref. 81642).

Description: body relatively low and gracile; maxillary barbel does not reach pectoral spine base, external mandibular barbel does not reach beyond mid-length of spine; pectoral fin with 8 (rarely 7) branched rays (Ref. 81642).

Coloration: preserved specimens: variably brownish grey to brownish violet; head and flanks strewn with numerous dark spots, those on head usually smaller; fins all spotted, although mottling on anal and pelvic fin may be faint; ventrum immaculate (Ref. 81642).