Similar to Sinocyclocheilus jii, distributed in Hejiang and Sinocyclocheilus guilinensis distributed in Lijiang by having a soft dorsal spine without serration and normal eyes. Differs from these 2 species by the combination of the following characters: 52-59 scales on lateral line; 17-23 scale rows above lateral line; 16-17 scale rows below lateral line; 40-46 scales around caudal peduncle; 9-10 gill rakes; eye diameter/SL 4.3-5.4%; interorbital width/SL 9.2-9.6%; and mouth width/SL 6.0-7.3% (Ref. 86810).