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Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 7-7. Body slender and low, slightly depressed anteriorly, width tapers to a compressed caudal peduncle (Ref. 81646). Head length 3.6-4.5 times in standard length, head obtuse in front, broader behind and depressed, profile gently rounded above, flat below; branchiostegal membrane deeply cleft mid-ventrally; snout shorter than post-orbit, nostrils in mid-snout, narrowly separated; eyes small, relatively widely separated, confluent with head; mouth subterminal, lips fleshy, teeth caniniform in pad on premaxilla and band along lower jaw; barbels slender and filamentous, maxillary pair longest, extending to above pectoral fins (Ref. 81646). Caudal peduncle short, 6-7.5 times in standard length, and deep, its length 1-1.6 times in its depth (Ref. 81646). Fins short and broad, origin of dorsal one head length behind head, dorsal base extends over pelvic fin origin, dorsal rounded, leading ray shorter than leading edge; pectorals short, not reaching pelvics, broad, leading ray slender, pectinate and padded; pelvics short, not reaching anal fin base, rounded, lead ray slender, pectinate and padded; anal fin short and slender, reaching close to base of caudal; caudal fin broad, emarginate, crenellated fleshy flap over base; adipose fin low, extends from above anal fin to procurrent ridge of caudal fin (Ref. 81646). Anus and genital pore close to pelvic fin bases (Ref. 81646).
Colour: Colour pattern varies considerably between individuals and localities but commonly uniformly dark brown with fine black spots over the whole lateral and upper body and head, ventral surface from head to anal fin is light brown or cream (Ref. 81646). The caudal fin is yellow with a large central black spot; dorsal fin rays are brown with clear membranes; all other fins are without distinct pigmentation or pattern (Ref. 81646). Variations of this pattern include an increasing degree of larger spots along the flanks and upper body to heavily spotted individuals with the background pigment a light brown; a starkly different vermiculated pattern lacking a black spot on the caudal is observed in one population from the Lower Ogowe (Ref. 81646). |
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