ɪɹˈɛθɪstˌɪdz ɑːɹ dɪstˈɪŋɡwɪʃt fɹʌm sˈɪsoːɹˌɪdz baɪ hˌævɪŋ ɐ pˈɛktɚɹəl ɡˈɜːdəl wɪð ɐ lˈɔŋ kˈɔːɹɐkˌɔɪd pɹˈɑːsɛs ðæt ɛkstˈɛndz wˈɛl bᵻjˌɔnd ðə bˈeɪs ʌvðə pˈɛktɚɹəl fˈɪn; ðɪs stɹˈʌktʃɚ kæn biː fˈɛlt θɹuː ðə skˈɪn ɪn ˈɔːl dʒˈɛnɚɹə ænd ɪz vˈɪzᵻbəl ɛkstˈɜːnəli ɪn ˈɔːl dʒˈɛnɚɹə ɛksˈɛpt sˌuːdoʊlɐɡjˈuːviə.
Erethistids are distinguished from sisorids by having a pectoral girdle with a long coracoid process that extends well beyond the base of the pectoral fin; this structure can be felt through the skin in all genera and is visible externally in all genera except Pseudolaguvia.