Distinguished from its congeners, except Glyptothorax telchitta, in northeast India in having a combination of large, prominent tubercles on the head and body, a thoracic adhesive apparatus without a median depression, and a very slender body and caudal peduncle (sometimes described as spindle shaped). Differs from G. telchitta in having more rounded snout when viewed laterally, the presence of dark saddles on the body, a thoracic adhesive apparatus with broader folds of skin, a longer adipose-fin base (12.0-16.4% SL vs. 9.5-11.5) and a more slender caudal peduncle (3.1-4.2% SL vs. 4.7-5.9

Description: Dorsal fin with I, 5, I,5,i, or I,6 rays; Anal fin with iv,8 - iv,10 rays; pectoral fin with I,8, I,8,i, I,9 or I,9,i rays; pelvic fin with i,5 rays (Ref. 54474).