Diagnosis: labial disk rather small (although larger than that of C. benuensis), ovoid, provided with thick papillae and very long barbels; 3-5 auxiliary barbels on either side of lower lip and often another one at inner side of main outer mandibular barbell; premaxillary teeth well developed and arranged in 3-4 irregular rows; mandibular teeth large, numbering 3+3 to 4+4; adipose fin long, beginning distinctly ahead of anal-fin origin; caudal peduncle not very elongate; caudal fin slightly notched, lower lobe longer than upper; eye large; largest specimens have epidermic tubercles arranged in longitudinal lines on top of head; species seems to lack a sexual dimorphism (Ref. 57223).

Coloration: fresh specimens with dark vertical bars on sides, separated by paler areas; ventral region entirely pink or salmon-coloured (Ref. 57223).