Distinctive characters : Diagnosis- Body somewhat elongate and compressed. upper surface of head and nape broad and depressed. Abdomen rounded. Head conical but not sharp. Snout spatulate, mouth terminal, moderately wide, its cleft however not extending to front border of orbit. Eyes small superior, in middle of head, not visible from below ventral surface. Lips thin. Jaws not prolonged. Upper jaw protractile. Teeth villiform on jaws, maye be present or absent on palate. Barbels absent. Dorsal fin inserted above or behind posterior end of anal fin, with 7-11 rays and no spine. Anal fin with 15-24 rays, with an elongate base. Caudal fin rounded. Scales cycloid of moderate size, 27-34 in lateral series. Lateral line absent.

Distribution: Tropical Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka & Thailand.