Can be differentiated from its congeners by the unique combination of the following characters: head extremely depressed and broad; dorsal spine well ossified, long (11.9-14.8% SL), and with 10-12 serrations on the posterior edge; cream-colored coracoidal region; caudal fin dark grey, with cream procurrent and first principal caudal rays; maxillary barbels reaching to middle of dorsal-fin base (143.7-195.4% HL) (Ref. 38441). Smooth flat skull roof; occipital process reaches basal bone of dorsal fin; 10-11 soft pectoral-fin rays; no stripe on body (Ref. 12693). Presence of white markings on pectoral fin and dorsal fin tips, anterior edge of adipose, upper and lower margins of caudal peduncle and caudal, including filaments (Ref. 43281).