Diagnosis: This species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following characteristics: one pair of barbels; usually 10 branched rays in the dorsal fin; 27-32 sales in the lateral line; usually 12 scales around the least circumference of the caudal peduncle; and last unbranched ray of dorsal fin shorter than head (Ref. 94477).

Description: The body depth is comparatively low and a nuchal hump is present in adults but not developed in juveniles; the height of the caudal peduncle is relatively low; the dorsal and ventral fins are usually positioned behind the middle of the body (Ref. 94477). The head is elongate with a straight or slightly concave dorsal profile; the ventral profile of the head is slightly convex; the head length is about equal to the body depth; the mouth is broad and terminal or slightly sub-terminal with one pair of barbels; the eyes are in the anterior half of the head and slightly protuberant (Ref. 57642, 94477). The dorsal fin and its base are rather short; it usually has 4 unbranched and 10 branched rays; the last unbranched ray is considerably shorter than the head, weakly ossified, and its distal part is flexible; the anal fin has 3 unbranched and 6 branched rays; pectoral and ventral fins are relatively short (Ref. 57642, 94477). It has 26-32 scales in the lateral line, usually 4.5 scales above the lateral line, 3.5-4.5 scales below the lateral line, and 12 scales around the least circumference of the caudal peduncle (Ref. 57642, 94477). The pharyngeal teeth are hooked at their tips (Ref. 94477). It is subject to a rather strong geographic variation, mainly in respect of the number of scales (Ref. 57642).

Colouration: live colouration is golden with olive fins; the upper side is darker than the belly (Ref. 94477). In ethanol-preserved specimens the upper side is dark, the belly yellow and the fins are grey or yellow; juveniles have a dark lateral spot on the caudal peduncle (Ref. 94477).