Diagnosis: Notoglanidium pallidum differs from other species in the genus in having: a small eye diameter, 3.8-7.0% of head length vs. larger in N. boutchangai, N. walkeri, N. thomasi and N. macrostoma; a small interorbital distance, 20.0-23.3% of head length vs. larger in N. akiri, N. macrostoma, N. maculatum, N. thomasi and N. walkeri; a small combined premaxillary tooth plate width, 11.1-15.3% of head length vs. larger in N. akiri, N. boutchangai, N. depierrei, N. macrostoma and N. pembetadi; and an average number of soft dorsal-fin rays, 8-10 vs. 7 in N. akiri, N. boutchangai and N. macrostoma, and more than 10 rays in N. maculatum, N. thomasi and N. walkeri (Ref. 94168).

Description: Both head and body dorsoventrally flattened, with depth almost constant from head to body, predorsal body depth 10.6-14.3% of standard length, minimal caudal peduncle depth 9.1-10.4% of standard length, head depth 9.8-13.8% of standard length (Ref. 94168). Branchiostegal membranes fused along anterior half only, with a slit separating the posterior halves; they may overlap (Ref. 94168). Adipose fin low, 2.3-3.3% of standard length (Ref. 94168).

Colouration: In life, pallid pink, without any markings; pale brownish when preserved (Ref. 94168).