Diagnosis: Chiloglanis kerioensis is distinguished from C. somereni and C. devosi in having fewer mandibular teeth, eight or fewer vs. eight or more; and a larger orbit, more than 4% of standard length vs. less than 4% (Ref. 105400). It is distinguished from C. brevibarbis by longer barbels, maxillary barbels usually more than 30% of head length vs. less than 30%, medial mandibular barbels more than 10% of head length vs. less than 9%, and lateral mandibular barbels more than 17% of head length vs. less than 15%; and in the arrangement of the mandibular teeth, exposed length of teeth not equal to row width vs. exposed portion equal or greater than row width in C. brevibarbus populations (Ref. 105400). It differs from C. deckenii in having a longer premaxillary tooth pad, more than 3% of standard length vs. less than 3%; and longer lower lip, more than 60% of head length vs. less than 55%; the species is distinguished from Chiloglanis sp. aff. deckenii by the following combination of characters: C. kerioensis has a longer postcleithral process, more than 9% of standard length vs. less than 9%, and longer lateral mandibular barbels, more than 15% of head length vs. less than 15% (Ref. 105400).

Description: A small, relatively deep-bodied Chiloglanis, maximum standard length observed 40.3 mm; body dorsally depressed anteriorly and laterally compressed posteriorly; predorsal angled towards snout; pre-orbital convex; postdorsal body angled ventrally towards caudal fin; preanal profile horizontal; postanal sloping dorsally towards caudal fin (Ref. 105400). Skin with numerous small unculiferous (horny unicellular projections) tubercles, body uniformly covered with higher concentrations of more pronounced tubercles in the head region; lateral line complete, arising slightly above horizontal to orbit and sloping ventrally to midlateral alongside of body; urogenital papillae elongate in males; reduced and separated from anus by shallow invagination in females (Ref. 105400). Head broadly depressed; gill openings restricted, from level of pectoral fin attachment to middle os eye; gill membranes broadly united; occipital-nuchal shield covered and visible through skin; eyes small, horizontal axis longest, orbit without free margin; anterior and posterior nares positioned mid-snout length and equidistant; nares with raised rim, posterior nares with elongated anterior and medial flaps; mouth inferior, upper and lower lips united to form sucking disc; oral disc moderate in size, wider than long and covered in papillae (Ref. 105400). Barbels in three pairs; maxillary barbel originating from posterolateral region of the disc, unbranched, long, reaching 45% of head length; lateral and medial mandibular barbels moderate, lateral barbels twice the length of medial barbels, incorporated into lower lip and positioned on both sides of prominent midline cleft on the posterior margin of disc (Ref. 105400). Primary maxillary teeth numerous, 36-80, "S" shaped with exposed tips light brown in colour, arranged in three rows on oval shaped tooth; secondary premaxillary teeth fewer in number and scattered on posterior surface of premaxillae; tertiary teeth small and needle-like, inserted near midline on dorsal edge of toothplate; mandibular teeth arranged in one to two rows, "S" shaped, grouped near midline; the anterior row supporting 6-8 brown tipped sharp teeth (Ref. 105400). Dorsal fin originates in anterior third of body; dorsal fin with small spinelet, spine and 6 rays; dorsal spine short, anterior margins of spine marked with 2 small notches distally, posterior margins smooth; adipose fin moderate in length, length into standard length four to five times; margin convex with a small incision posteriorly; caudal fin forked with gently pointed lobes, lower lobe slightly longer than upper lobe, count i,7,8,i; anal fin extending beyond adipose fin terminus, count iii,8; pelvic fin origin at vertical between dorsal and adipose fin, margins convex, count i,6; pectoral fin with slightly curved smooth spine, moderate in length, five to six times into standard length, count i,8-9 (Ref. 105400). Post cleithral process going into standard length nine to ten times, buried under the skin; no apparent sexual dimorphism in shape or size of fins; dimorphism of body size apparent with females being the largest specimens collected (Ref. 105400).

Colouration: Live colouration: body yellowish-brown ground colour ith overlying melanophores and gold iridescent flecks alongside of body; fins yellow to orange (Ref. 105400). Typical colouration of preserved specimens: in dorsal view , specimens appear medium brown with three light bands; the first lies anterior to the dorsal fin; second and third bands are anterior and posterior to the adipose fin; lighter spots visible along sides above lateral line; head uniformly medium brown; in lateral view, specimens have cream-buff ground colour with overlying medium brown above lateral line and cream to yellow from lateral line to belly; three light bands observed from above extend beyond midline; light spots on sides above and below lateral line, light areas on lateral line extending dorsally; numerous small black melanophores scattered across sides, more concentrated below lateral line; ventral surface yellow to cream coloured; small melanophores near origin of pelvic fins and around anal fin; oral disc and barbels yellow to cream coloured (Ref. 105400).