Schistura paraxena differs from all species of Schistura by having conspicuous peduncular crests along its dorsal and ventral extremities and a plain beige body coloration consisting of crests brownish gray and a pale spot medially at caudal-fin base. It can be further distinguished by having the following characters: dorsal fin with 8½ branched rays; pectoral fin with 11-12 rays; pelvic fin with 9 rays; 37-38 vertebrae; predorsal length 50-52% SL; caudal-peduncle length 17-18% SL (88-92% HL; 5.6-5.8 times SL); lateral line complete; breast naked; predorsal area scaled; and upper lip not notched (Ref. 115556).