Diagnosis: It differs from all other species of the genus Zaireichthys in the strongly rounded caudal fin, adipose fin reaching procurrent rays of caudal, and more closely spaced nostrils, closer together than distance of posterior nostril from eye (Ref. 86935). Further, it has a greatly expanded oral musculature, giving the head a characteristically bulbous appearance, and greatly enlarged jaw teeth (Ref. 51287).

Description: Lateral line short, almost reaching level of pelvic base; skin minutely roughened (Ref. 86935). Head broad, depressed, with short, narrow, acutely pointed supraoccipital process; snout blunt; eye very small, eye diameter 11-12 times in head length; fleshy processes of nostrils long, that of the posterior as long as the anterior, but not surrounding the nostril; nostrils closer together than distance of posterior nostril from eye; mouth simple, broad; barbels long, the maxillary ones reaching to the bases of the rays of the pectoral fins and the outer mandibular barbels reaching bases of pectoral-fin spines (Ref. 51287, 86935). Dorsal fin II,5-6, the bony section of the second spine short; base of dorsal half head length; adipose fin long and low, extending posteriorly to over-run the first three or four procurrent rays of the caudal; caudal fin rounded with 5 branched rays in the upper portion and 6 in the lower; anal fin with 9 rays, the first 3 of which are simple; pectoral fins I,8, the spine with four stout barbs on its posterior margin (Ref. 51287, 86935). Premaxillary tooth patch with a broad roughly rectangular central portion, extended postero-laterally by a narrower process; six branchiostegal rays; humeral process relatively short, not reaching level of end of supraoccipital process, with a few fine denticulations on ventral margin of its tip (Ref. 51287, 86935).

Colouration: Body with vertical bands having darkened margins (Ref. 51287).