Diagnosis: last simple dorsal-fin ray smooth on hind margin; scale formula 4.5-5.5/27-29/4.5; 3 scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin base; 12 scales around caudal peduncle; 8 branched dorsal fin rays; two long and unequal pairs of barbels; anterior barbel not extending beyond centre of eye/reaching to, or extending beyond, posterior half of eye; posterior barbel extending beyond hind margin of eye; lateral line complete and greatly depressed below dorsal fin; maximum reported size 85 mm SL; spots on sides irregular, representing dark band with strangulations at certain points (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Description: dorsal profile slightly convex; mouth subterminal; lateral line complete, distinctly depressed below dorsal fin and rejoining mid-lateral line slightly behind vertical line from anal fin; gill rakers rudimentary; D: III,8; A: III,5; P: I,13-14; V: I,7 (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Coloration: back chocolate-brown to blackish; lateral-line scales as well as scales above lateral line dark-edged; presence of pores duplicates pigmentation of lateral-line scales, simulating 2 parallel series of dots; scale son back almost uniformly brownish-black; lateral midline marked with series of elongate black spots, sometimes confluent and highly variable in size and shape; always spot at end of caudal peduncle (Ref. 2940, 81282). Belly white (Ref. 2940).