Diagnosis: head deep and massive in adults, dorsal profile convex; last simple dorsal-fin ray smooth on hind margin; scale formula (3.5)4.5/25-27/4.5; 3.5 scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin base; 12 scales around caudal peduncle; caudal peduncle elongate (ratio caudal peduncle depth/head length less than 50%); 8 branched dorsal fin rays; two unequal pairs of barbels, anterior extending beyond centre of eye, posterior to gill cover; lateral line complete and weakly depressed below dorsal fin; maximum reported size 83 mm SL; 3 large well defined spots on sides, 1st before level of dorsal-fin origin, 2nd behind vertical line from last dorsal-fin ray, 3rd at end of caudal peduncle; average distance centres 2nd-3rd spot/distance centres 1st-2nd spot (= RDT) is 1.04; known from the upper Corubal in Guinea (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Description: D: III,8; A: III,5 (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Coloration: dark back, light belly; scales above and 2 row below lateral line with vertical crescent-shaped bars of melanophores; 3 aligned spots on sides: 1st on 5-6th scale above lateral line, 2nd slightly behind vertical line from last dorsal-fin ray and 3rd, usually smaller than the others, practically disappearing in large individuals) at end of caudal peduncle; spots generally clearer in young and tend to fade with age (Ref. 2940, 81282).