 It possesses small maxillary barbels and an unfringed shallowly arcuate upper lip.Two other similar species are traded as Siamese algae-eaters, namely "Crossocheilus atrilimes", a species that prefers Java moss to red algae, and an undescribed species of "Crossocheilus".The hardy red algae-eater "Crossocheilus langei" is commonly found in the aquarium trade and is one of the most popular and effective tank algae cleaners.