Mekongina lancangensis can be distinguished from M. erythrospila by

having one pair of rostral barbels (v. no barbels); two rows of tubercles irregularly

scattered on the snout and cheeks, with two enlarged tubercles present at each side of the anterior of the snout (v. four rows of tubercles in M. erythrospila); 19–27 rostral marginal lappets (v. 18–21); 38–41 lateral line

scales (v. 34–37); 18–20 circumpeduncular scales (v. 16); 5.5 or 6.5 scales in transverse series from dorsal-fin origin to lateral line (D-LL) scales (v. 7 or 7.5); shorter snout length (SN) (31.9–36.9% LH v. 38.6–57.8) and longer anal

fin (tip of the depressed rays reaching the base of the caudal fin v. not reaching the base of the caudal fin) (Ref. 79744).