Differs from all congeners with a similar caudal-fin shape (truncate or slightly emarginate) by the following unique combination of characters: supraoccipital plate and nuchal plate broadly interspaced and covered with skin; nasal barbels only at most reaching anterior margin of eye; maxillary barbels reaching slightly beyond posterior margin of eye; outer mandibular barbels reaching posterior margin of eye; dorsal fin with a slightly convex distal margin, origin nearer to pectoral-fin insertion than to pelvic-fin insertion; dorsal-fin spine shorter than pectoral spine, with a slightly serrated posterior margin; pectoral-fin spine with a smooth anterior margin; anal fin with 20-23 rays, base length 23.8-32.0% SL, posterior end of anal-fin base anterior to posterior end of adipose fin base; no longitudinal black band extending along flank;

eyes large, diameter 16.3-23.7% HL; and vertebrae 5 + 43-46 (Ref. 75714).

Description: Dorsal din with a spinelet, a spine and 7 soft, branched rays; pectoral fin with a spine and 8 soft, branched rays; and pelvic fin with 5 soft, branched rays (Ref. 75714).