Shares with its most similar species Psilorhynchus robustus and Psilorhynchus gracilis a dark reticulate pattern over the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the body. Differs from Psilorhynchus robustus and all its congeners by the presence (vs. absence) of a dark band running along the distal edge of the dorsal fin and by the presence of intense (vs. light) scattering of dark melanophores along the anterior edge of the paired fins. Can be further distinguished from Psilorhynchus robustus by its longer, narrower head (head length 22-26% SL vs. 20-22, head width 62-65% HL vs. 67-73), and narrower mouth (mouth width 24-28% HL vs. 28-31), from all other species of the genus, except Psilorhynchus robustus

and Psilorhynchus gracilis, by the presence (vs. absence) of a dark reticulate pattern

over the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the body, and from all other species of the genus, excluding Psilorhynchus robustus, by the presence (vs. absence) of an indistinct lateral streak, formed by a series of small dark spots between the pores of the lateral line canal. Furthermore, can be readily diagnosed from two other congeners (Psilorhynchus breviminor and Psilorhynchus pavimentatus) from Myanmar by having shallower caudal peduncle 7-8 % SL (vs. 9-10 in both Psilorhynchus breviminorand Psilorhynchus pavimentatus), and from Psilorhynchus pavimentatus by having 10 principal rays in the upper caudal fin lobe 10 (vs. 9) (Ref. 85100).

Description: Dorsal fin with iii.9 rays; anal fin with ii.6 rays; pectoral with fin v.11 rays; pelvic fin with ii.7 rays (Ref. 85100).