Distinguished from all other species of the subgenus Melanorivulus in having small white spots forming a reticulate pattern on the dorsal fin and the basal part of the anal fin, and forming narrow bars on the caudal fin in males, and a narrow basihyal, width about 35% of the basihyal length. Can be diagnosed from all congeners by the unique combination of the following characters: entire flank with a continuous mid-lateral dark gray stripe; scales in longitudinal series 30-31; flank with close red dots, arranged in chevron-like series with the vertex on the mid-lateral line; and caudal fin in males with red bars (Ref. 76975).