Parachiloglanis bhutanensis is distinguished from its only congener P. hodgarti in having 35-40 large lateral-line pores running the length of the body from the posterior edge of the head to the caudal base (vs. lateral-line pores greatly reduced or absent), large fleshy adipose fin 4.2-4.6% SL in height (vs. 2.2-4.3% SL), a deep head 47-59% HL (vs. 36-45% HL), longer inner- and outer-mandibular barbels (11.0-16.5% HL vs. 5.2-11.0% HL, and 23.9-31.8% HL vs. 14.2-23.6% HL, respectively), truncate caudal fin (vs. indented to lunate), and absence of black and white markings on caudal fin (vs. presence). It can be diagnosed from all other genera in Glyptosterninae by the lack of a post-labial grove on the lower lip (vs. presence (Ref. 97387).

Description: dorsal-fin rays i,6; anal-fin rays i,6 (Ref. 97387).