Adults differ from all other South Asian Puntius by a combination of the following characters: branched dorsal-fin rays prolonged into filament-like extensions in adult males only; a black band about as wide as the eye near tip of each caudal-fin lobe; lower lip continuous; a caudal blotch on 2-5 scales, commencing posterior to anal-fin origin; no distinct markings on body in advance of anal-fin origin. Distinguished from P. assimilis by possessing a subterminal mouth (vs. Inferior); maxillary barbels shorter, 0.5-2.2 of SL % (vs. 5.5-9.3%); post-orbital head length 11.0-12.1% of SL (vs. 8.7-10.4%); and interorbital width 11.2-12.2% of SL (vs. 10.0-11.1%) (Ref. 55036).

Description: Pectoral fin with one simple and 14 or 15 branched rays. Lateral line with 18,19 0r 20 scales on body, extending 1-3 scales on to caudal-fin base (Ref. 55036).