Paracanthocobitis triangula differs from all other congeners by combination of the following characters: incomplete lateral line ending near the insertion of dorsal fin; dorsal fin with 9½-10½ branched rays; presence of axillary pelvic lobe; series of black blotches, sometimes overlain with faint dusky stripe along side of body not obscuring lateral blotches, ending just beyond insertion of dorsal fin; presence of small black triangular blotch in ocellus on upper margin of caudal-fin base; black pigment of the midlateral stripe not extending onto the base of pectoral fin; absence of marmorated pattern between dorsal saddles and lateral blotches; dorsal saddles usually extending ventrally just past faint lateral stripe, usually connecting to lateral blotches; upper caudal fin with 8 branched rays (Ref. 117351).