This species is diagnosed in having the following combination of characters: 11-13 dark brown transverse bars against pale yellow background on the body, bars arranged regularly, often fused on mid-dorsal line, width of bar broader than the interspace width; moderately high adipose crest on dorsal and ventral sides of caudal peduncle; lateral line incomplete, reaching vertical to posterior end of anal fin base; three black spots on base of dorsal fin; head short (12.72-16.41 % SL), dorsal fin with 8½ branched rays; processus dentiformes large (Ref. 86520).

Description: Body small and moderately elongated. Anterior section of the body circular and slightly compressed posteriorly. Head short about 18.6-22.7 %SL, slightly depressed with less inflated cheeks. Male has prominent inflated cheeks. Dorsal adipose crest moderately high extends from posterior extremity of dorsal fin base to caudal origin. Pectoral extends up to half the length of the distance between pectoral and pelvic fin origins. Auxiliary pelvic fin lobe is present; pelvic fin slightly behind the origin of dorsal fin, opposite to the first branched dorsal fin rays. Dorsal fin inserted half way between the origin of pectoral and anal fin. Caudal fin is emarginated (Ref. 86520).