Distinguished from its only congener Danionella translucida in having a more elongate body (body depth 12.2-14.8% SL vs. 18.5-24.4% SL); 36-37 vertebrae (vs. 32-33), 17-20 anal-fin rays (vs. 12-14), a single ventromedian row of large melanophores between pelvic fins and tips of cleithra (vs. paired ventral paramedian rows of smaller melanophores between pelvics and tips of cleithra) and in lacking scattered small melanophores on ventrolateral sides of abdomen (vs. presence of these melanophores) (Ref. 51749).

Description: dorsal-fin rays 8, 9 or 10, first two unbranched, last two not articulating with same pterygiophore; anal-fin rays 17, 18, 19 or 20, first two unbranched, last two not articulating with same pterygiophore (Ref. 51749).