Garra clavirostris can be diagnosed from all other species of the genus in the Brahmaputra and the Chindwin drainages by the combination of the following characters: a transverse lobe bearing 17-25 small- to large-sized multicuspid tubercles; a prominent club-shaped unilobed proboscis prominently protruding forward and overhanging the depressed rostral surface, with a row of 5-9 medium- to large-sized uni- to multi-cuspid tubercles on its anterior margin; the antero-ventral marginal aspect of the proboscis with 5-6 medium-sized uni- to multi-cuspid tubercles, distinctly differentiated from the depressed rostral surface by a distinct transverse groove; dorsal fin with 8½ or 9½ branched; anal fin with 5½ branched rays; lateral line with 33-34 scales; presence of a black spot at the upper angle of gill opening; and 4-5 narrow black stripes laterally, more distinct towards the caudal peduncle (Ref. 117346).