It has slender body that is cylindrical anteriorly and compressed posteriorly. Dorsal profile slightly arched with flatended ventral profile. Eyes are small. Mouth crescentic, and surrounded by fleshy lips. Three pairs of barbels are present. Dorsal fin inserted ahead of the pelvic fin. Edge of the dorsal fin straight, nearly as long as the head, reaching below the origin of the dorsal. Caudal fin is slightly emarginate. Lateral line usually complete. Body color: light olive to yellowish-orange with 10-14 blackish irregular bands descending from the back and ending in dark. Fin formula: D 2/11; P₁ 10; P₂ 1/7; A 1/5