Differs from all other Pangia except P. lumbriciformis by its unique color pattern consisting of a number of dark saddle-like marks on the dorsum, a dark transverse stripe or double spot at the caudal fin base and a horizontal stripe and a transverse subdistal band in the caudal fin, and by its total number of 54-56 vertebrae. Can be differentiated from P. lumbriciformis by a more robust body (body depth 10.8-13.8 times in SL vs. 13.6-15.4 times in SL, ratio body depth-body width 1.6-2.2 vs. 1.2-1.5) and a deeper and laterally more compressed caudal peduncle (ratio caudal peduncle depth/width 1.5-2.0 vs. 1.1-1.3). Among other Myanmar Pangia, it is distinguished further from P. fusca and P. pangia by a narrower (caudal peduncle depth 4.1-5.5 % SL vs. 5.9-9.7) and longer caudal peduncle (caudal peduncle length 14.4-16.0 % SL vs. 9.5-12.5), from P. pangia

by a more slender body (body depth 7.2-9.3 % SL vs. 13.5-16.3) and shorter pectoral fins (4.9-6.3 % SL vs. 8.2-9.6), from P. fusca by the presence of the pelvic girdle and fins (vs. absence) and the absence of a nasal barbel (vs. presence), and from P. elongata

by the position of the pelvic fins (basipterygia at vertebra 29 vs. 33) (Ref. 57993).