It can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the following characters: dark longitudinal stripe on body, extending from eye to caudal peduncle; scattered tubercles present on lower jaw; 14½-16½ branched anal-fin rays; pelvic-fin long, reaching beyond anus.

This species was considered synonymous with the Indochinese congener C. micropeltes for over a century before being revalidated in 2011.

Like in C. micropeltes colour pattern varies depending on the age of the fish.

Juveniles possess two longitudinal black stripes on the head and body with the are…