Similar to Yunnanilus sichuanensis, Yunnanilus chui and Yunnanilus pulcherrimus. Distinguished from Yunnanilus sichuanensis by having 15-19 pored lateral line scales (vs. 10-12); caudal peduncle depth 9.75-11.89% in body length (vs. 7.54-8.72), 1.23-1.70 in length (vs. 0.9-1.09); and 10-12 square black spots on each side of the body (vs. 3 rows). Differs from Yunnanilus chui by the difference in stripes in males and females (vs. similar stripe in males and females) and by having 15-19 pored lateral line scales (vs. 2-4). Can be separated from Yunnanilus pulcherrimus by the difference in stripes in females and males (vs. similar stripes) and having 20-22 vertical bars on each side of the body (vs. 12-17) (Ref. 84761).

Description: D iii,8; A ii, 5; P i,11-12; V i,7 (Ref. 84761).