This fish has an elongated body with a short head and a small, inferior mouth. The upper jaw is longer than the lower. The body is flattened ventrally up to the pelvic fins, and it possesses four pairs of barbels with the maxillary barbels having a broad base. The caudal fin is emarginated, with the lower lobe being longer and both lobes pointed. The body color is grayish-brown or black, marked by about four large yellowish blotches on the sides above the lateral line, and a narrow longitudinal band on the side. The fins are yellowish with black patches. Fin formula: D. I/6; P1. I/13; P2. 6; A. 2-4/7-9; C. 17