Diagnosed from all congeners by having the origin of the dorsal fin behind the origin of the anal fin, 37-40 lateral-line scales, 16 circumpeduncular scales, and a dark spot at the base of the caudal fin. Differs from Thryssocypris smaragdinus in having the origin of the dorsal fin behind (vs. over or in front of) the origin of the anal fin and 16 (vs. 15) circumpeduncular scales, and from T. tonlesapensis and T. ornithosoma in having 37-40 (vs. 42-46) lateral-line scales and 39-41 (vs. 43-45) vertebrae. Can be further separated from T. ornithosoma by having a dark spot at the base of the caudal fin (Ref. 93051).