Summary: Head large, but varying much in size, fitting 3½ to 4½ times into body
length, narrowed anteriorly. Interorbital space 15 to 22% of head length. Mouth moderately
large, terminal; lower jaw shorter than upper. Chin with well developed barbel. Eye moderately large,
about ½ length of snout. Gill openings very wide, extending upward to at least the level of the
pectoral fins. Gills four in number, with a slit behind the fourth; no pseudobranchiae present. Edge of
preopercle usually covered by skin. Lateral line pores present on head.