Distinguished from its superficially similar species Paracobitis malapterura by the following characters: caudal adipose crest very shallow with depth at the highest point being 2.1-3.2% SL (vs. 3.3-3.8 in Paracobitis malapterura of same size); anterior nostril tube not reaching beyond the posterior tip of the posterior nostril when folded back (vs. fully overlapping posterior nostril when folded back in Paracobitis malapterura); and midlateral stripe always disconnected from the blocthes and saddles on the caudal adipose crest ( vs. connected in individuals over 50 mm SL) (Ref. 97574).

Description: 7 1/2 branched dorsal rays; 5 1/2 branched anal rays; 9-11 branched pectoral rays; 7-8 branched pelvic rays;