Diagnosis: dorsal, pectoral and adipose fins with distinct spine anteriorly; a series of bony scutes on body posterior of the dorsal-fin origin; lateral abdominal surface not covered with superficial scutes; scapulo-coracoid and clavicle lack superficial rugose plates (Ref. 90257).

Description: body very thin and tapering backwards; head short and deep; snout with a distinct, posteriorly bifurcate median bony crest giving rise to other, parallel, crests on dorsal surface of head; eyes rather large and widely separated; nostrils fairly large, the posterior pair partially obstructed by a dermal fold; mouth small and subterminal; barbels tiny and simple, the maxillary pair without a basal membrane; branchiostegal membrane curved ventrally; an occipital process with a median crest on top of head; supraoccipital process flanked by another bony process; dorsal fin separated from supraoccipital process by a narrow space that may be occupied by 1-2 bony scutes; dorsal fin positioned above pelvic fins; principal dorsal- and pectoral-fin ray tiny and bony; pectoral fins with 6 branched rays, their tips reaching to pelvic-fin bases; adipose fin short, preceded by a small spine and positioned above posterior half of anal fin; caudal peduncle long and very narrow, its length comprised 3.2-3.4 times in standard length; caudal fin triangular, its posterior margin lunate; a series of 23-25 bony scutes present on both sides of body between dorsal fin and caudal peduncle and a second series of 21-23 bony scutes between pelvic fins and caudal peduncle; 7+7 principal caudal fin rays (Ref. 57128).

Coloration: back with 4-5 irregular brown spots, belly not pigmented; fins with scattered blackish-brown spots and pale stripes (Ref. 57128).