Belongs to the Puntius conchoniusspecies group, similar to Puntius yuensis, Puntius ornatus, and Puntius nankyweensis by having dark band encircling caudal peduncle well posterior to base of anal fin, the absence of humeral mark, and in

Puntius nankyweensis, 10 (rarely 11) circumpeduncular scales. Differs from

Puntius nankyweensis by the absence of barbels (vs. presence of maxillary barbels),

transverse scale count ½4/1/3½ (vs. ½3/1/4½), scales in lateral row 18-20 (vs. 20-23), lateral scale row running curved (vs. straight) from head to caudal fin, caudal peduncle blotch positioned on scales 16-17 or 16-18 (vs. 18-20 or 19-20), and longer anal fin (17.1-22.0 vs. 12.1-16.4 % of SL). Can be differentiated from Puntius yuensis by smaller size (largest known specimen 33.1 mm SL vs. 55 mm SL), fewer scales in lateral row (18-20 vs. 21-22), and caudal peduncle blotch on scales 16-17 or 16-18 (vs. 19-20); and from Puntius ornatus by smaller size (largest known specimen 33.1 mm SL vs. 42 mm SL), less scales in lateral row (18-20 vs. 21-22), deeper body (41.2-46.0 % SL vs. 35.9 -38.7 % SL), 10-11 vs. 12 circumpeduncular scales, and caudal peduncle blotch on scales 16-17 or 16-18 (vs. 18-19 or 19-20) (Ref. 75627).

Description: Dorsal fin iii,8, iv,8; Anal fin iii.5; Pectoral fin i11, i12; ; Pelvic fin i8 (Ref. 75627).