This species differs from all species of Kryptopterus, except K. minor and K. piperatus, in having a transparent (vs. translucent or opaque) body in life, and from members of the K. cryptopterus, K. limpok, and K. schilbeides groups in having 48-55 anal-fin rays (vs. 64-85). It is diagnosed from members of the K. bicirrhis species group (K. bicirrhis, K. lais, K. macrocephalus, K. minor, K. palembangensis and K. piperatus) in having the following combination of characters: snout length 29-35% HL, eye diameter 28-34% HL, body depth at anus 16-20% SL, depth of caudal peduncle 4-7% SL, maxillary barbels reaching beyond base of first anal-fin ray, dorsal profile with pronounced nuchal concavity, 14-18 rakers on first gill arch, and 48-55 anal-fin rays (Ref. 93176).