Diagnosis: dorsal profile straight to slightly arched; inner surface of lips with transverse folds; body depth 3.3-3.9x SL; depth of caudal peduncle 0.9-1.2x its length; 32-42 (50-150mm) and 46-49 (150-250mm) gill rakers; scale formula 7.5/38-40/7.5-8.5; 4.5 scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin base; 16 scales around caudal peduncle; 13-15 dorsal fin branched rays; body silvery in life, but salmon-pink spots on scales of sides; so far known from the upper basins of the rivers Senegal and Niger (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Description: mouth inferior, pair of short posterior barbels; inner surface of lips with transverse folds, margin of upper lip without papillae; caudal peduncle deeper than long; outer margin dorsal fin straight or convex; D:IV,13-15; A:III,5 (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Coloration: silvery in life, back greenish-bronze, belly lighter; scales in the 3 or 4 rows above and below lateral line marked with salmon-pink spot; narrow, dark longitudinal band on sides; in preserved specimens this line persists, and a rather broad, dark longitudinal band appears on the lateral line; dorsal fin brownish-pink; caudal and anal fins wine-red; pectorals and pelvic fins dark pink or slightly orange; humeral spot and second, paler, spot at end of caudal (Ref. 2940, 81282).