Differs from all congeners, except P. oligolepis and P. wujiangensis, in having a nearly scaleless body. It can be further distinguished from P. wujiangensis by having a complete lateral line (vs. incomplete), lower dorsal crest extending to the vertical line of the anal-fin origin (vs. higher and shorter dorsal crest not reaching to vertical line of analfin base); it is further distinguished from P. oligolepis by a less slender caudal peduncle (10.0–13.0 vs. 9.0–10.0), regular bars on the body (vs. clearly vermiform markings), branched dorsal fin rays 81/2 (a few 91/2) (vs. 91/2), vertebrae 4+36–38 (vs. 4+39–41) (Ref. 83640).