Diagnosis: mouth subterminal; two pairs of unequally long barbels, anterior pair reaching to anterior half of eye, posterior pair reaching beyond posterior border; lateral line complete; 23-25 scales in lateral line; 4.5 scales between lateral line and origin of dorsal fin; 12 scales around caudal peduncle; dorsal fin with concave border, last simple ray strongly ossified and serrated on posterior side; large dark stripe on sides; base of first rays of dorsal fin without black spot; dorsal fin with black markings; pectoral fins reaching origin of pelvic fins, pelvic fins with black distal band (Ref. 81639).

Description: medium-sized species, body relatively elevated; scales radially striated; 3.5-4.5 scales between lateral line and mid-belly; 2.5 scales between lateral line and pelvic fin insertion; D:III,8; A:II,5; P:15-16; V:8; dorsal fin with concave border (Ref. 81639).

Coloration: body silvery, scales with brown-black basal spot; these spots are aligned giving the appearance of 6-8 discontinuous lateral bands on flanks; intense black band from tip of snout to anterior border of eye and extending onto opercle; its intensity diminishes on the flanks where it is situated between 4th and 5th discontinual lateral band; band is intensified in alcohol-preserved specimens; golden-brown spot present on opercle and below lateral black band; dorsal, anal and pelvic fins have a black band on their distal halves while their basal halves are yellow-orange; these fins with white edge; pectoral fin yellow-orange; in some individuals melanophores are present on distal tip; caudal fin is yellow-orange, with white edge (Ref. 81639).