Distocyclus conirostris is distinguished by the combination of the following characters: conical snout; small nasal capsule with the internarial distance equivalent to the diameter of the posterior nostril; endopterygoid without teeth; single tooth row limited to the anterior portion of the dentary; eye covered by skin; teeth completely attached to the ventral surface of the premaxilla; flat surface to the upper lip; anterior margin of the premaxilla in contact with the posterior margin of the upper lip; terminal mouth; one to six teeth on the dentary; absence of teeth associated with the oral valve; half-moon shaped branchiostegal rays; body without eight dark, vertical bands; anal fin with 209-273 rays; scales present on the anterior portion of the dorsal region of the body; tiny, fleshy gill rakers; presence of branched anal-fin rays; 13 or 14 precaudal vertebrae; and scapular foramen present (Ref. 96854).