This species is distinguished from Pseudexostoma yunnanensis by the following characters: posterior margin of lower lip with 3 notches, depth of middle one shallower than lateral ones (vs. same depth), length of 2 smaller median lobes of lower lip longer than lateral lobes (vs. the same length); pelvic fin i, 3-4 (vs. i, 5); base of adipose fin longer, 36.1-46.0% SL (vs. 28.8-39.8); caudal peduncle more slender, depth 4.2-6.9% SL, 20-33.7% in length of caudal peduncle (vs. 6.4-8.3 and 32.6-42.7); premaxillary tooth band with 16-18 teeth (vs. 18-22), it is divided into 2 and are isolated (vs. connected partially). The species differs from P. longipterus in having a shorter pectoral fin 24.9-29.8% SL (vs. 30.1-31.3), pelvic fin 16.1-22.9% SL (23.1-24.3), and caudal fin 13.6-17.9% SL (vs. 18-19.6); smaller eyes and a narrower interorbital width, eye diameter 5.8-7.8% HL (vs. 8.2-10), interorbital width 19.7-24.7% HL (vs. 25.5-30.8) (Ref. 57980).