Devario deruptotalea can be diagnosed from its congeners in the Chindwin drainage in having the following combination of characters: complete lateral line with 32-34 pored scales; unique color pattern consisting of 4-6 dark brown irregularly shaped and arranged bars, each of which is partly confluent with adjacent bar at different levels on anterior one-third of side of body, followed by three distinct dark brown stripes posteriorly; darker P stripe, about twice as broad as other stripes and extending onto median caudal-fin rays; blackish stripe on dorsal fin; series of 3-6 yellowish patches formed along path of I-1 by P and P-1 stripes (Ref. 96522). Note: see Fang 1997 (Ref. 13396:290-291) for description of stripes and interspaces.

Description: Dorsal fin ii,9-10; Anal fin ii,12-13; pectoral fin i,9-10; pelvic fin i,7; lateral scale rows passing between dorsal fin and pelvic fin 8 (Ref. 96522).