This species is distinguished from all other Asian congeners except G. arupi, G. elongata, G. gravelyi, G. kalpangi, G. rotundinasus by having an incipient (vs. no or prominent) proboscis on the snout; with branched dorsal-fin rays 6 (vs. 7 or 8); branched anal-fin rays 4 (vs. 5); perforated lateral-line scales 42-44 (vs. 32-39); no lateral black stripes on side of body (vs. present, except in G. kalpangi); body depth 15.1-20.2% of SL (vs. 21.1-25.8% in G. arupi, G. gravelyi); circumpeduncular scales 12-14 (vs. 15-16 in G. arupi, G. kalpangi); predorsal scales 14-16 (vs. 8-13); no mid-lateral black band on flank (vs. present in G. gravelyi, G. rotundinasus); no black spots along dorsal-fin base (vs. present in G. gravelyi); no black band across dorsal fin (vs. present in G. arupi, G. elongata); no longitudinal lateral black stripes on flank (vs. present, except in G. kalpangi), and scaled breats (vs. scaleless in G. elongata) (Ref. 128957).