Diagnosis: Distinguished from its congeners with the following characters: dorsal-fin rays XI, 14-16 (usually 15); scales above lateral line 10-15 (usually 12-14), below 20-27 (usually 22-25); maxilla scaly; 10 pores on and behind chin, including 1 very small pore near symphysis on each side (may be difficult to detect, obscured by short dense papillae), 2 moderate-sized pores anteroventrally on each dentary, a single large pore ventrally, at articulation of dentary (2 posteriormost usually slit-like and concave), its posterior part scaly; shape of dorsal- and anal-fin rays rounded and slightly angulated, respectively; cluster of very short dense papillae on fleshy lower lip; body often with two indistinct oblique dark bands, the first descending from nape to behind pectoral fin and then running to posterior part of soft anal-fin rays, and the second from base of anterior 3rd or 4th dorsal-fin spine and soft dorsal-fin base, curving backwards through lateral line to upper part of caudal peduncle (Ref. 56360).

Description: Body of young and stressed individuals with 2 indistinct oblique bands; in larger adults, these bands are usually indistinct. Procumbent spinelike process usually not apparent, hidden by dorsal scales. Well developed papillae and barbels on the fleshy lower lip. No dark margin on dorsal, caudal and anal fins (Ref. 36944).