Placocheilus cryptonemus Cui & Li 1984

Can be distinguished from its congeners by having no barbel, 45-47 lateral line scales, no semicircular black mark on middle of each caudal lobe, no blackish band across dorsal fin, a shallow groove between anterior edge and central callous pad of mental adhesive disc, a mental adhesive disc reaching beyond vertical of posterior margin of eye, predorsal scales smaller than flank scales and embedded in skin, a larger scaleless midventral region extended as far as to reach anus, and a slender caudal peduncle (depth 46.4-56.1% of its length) (Ref. 49783).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Analsoft rays: 7 - 8

Inhabits rivers with clear water and stays in rocky substratum.