Schistura epixenos can be diagnosed from its congeners in the Xe Bangfai and

adjacent drainages in central and southern Laos by the following combination of characters: pale brown body with 13-17 dark brown bars, about as wide as interspaces, reaching downwards to the level of pectoral-fin base; processus dentiformis narrow, pointed; lateral line complete; caudal peduncle depth 1.3-1.5 times in its length; body slender (13.7-15.1 % SL); scales present in predorsal area; pelvic fin not reaching anus; and origin of pelvic fin below origin of dorsal fin (Ref. 117206).