Distinguished from all species of the genus known from Vietnam, Laos and southern China (Yunnan, Guangdong, Hainan) by the following combination of characters: number of lateral line scales; number of scales between dorsal-fin origin and belly; lower lip with a broad interruption, greater than half of mouth width; horny sheath on lower jaw sharp, broad, almost straight anteriorly; last simple dorsal-fin ray bony, strong, with 20 serrae along posterior margin (Ref. 36949). Body with a faint stripe and a dark blotch at caudal base; 33-35 scales along lateral line, 2 on the caudal fin (Ref. 43281).