The first ray of the dorsal and pectoral fins is a stiffened and serrated spine capable of inflicting wounds.

Its ventrally located mouth is wide and has a plate of fused, cone-shaped teeth in the upper jaw used for rasping.

Two pair of long, stiff barbles extend from either side of the mouth and may have additional branches or nodes.

Bugeye squeakers can be fed with live and frozen food, including some vegetable matter.

[4] This species is best kept in a dimly lit aquarium with a soft bottom substrate and rocks, pieces of driftwood and twisted roots arranged to form hiding places.