Garra robertsi differs from its only other congener in Borneo, G. borneensis, by the following characters: five transverse scale rows above lateral line (vs. four); when depressed, first dorsal-fin ray extending beyond the posterior-most extent of any other part of the dorsal fin (vs. not extending posteriorly beyond last ray); scales on the breast deeply embedded (vs. exposed); absence (vs. presence) of a stark, contrasting black stripe on lower caudal-fin rays; snout with two nearly continuous patches of tubercles (vs. 3 discrete patches); absence (vs. presence) of a lateral stripe; presence (vs. absence) of broad suborbital bar; a thickened anteromedial fold on the lower lip; and fewer papillae extending onto the callous pad from the posterior flap of the lower lip (Ref. 103293).