Hora (1921) described Nemachilus prashadi based on 74 specimens collected from three localities, viz., Thonagpal Tank, Thoubal Stream, Sikmai Stream (all Chindwin basins, Manipur). He did not report the type locality of the holotype. Kottelat (1990) put the species in the genus Schistura but did describe the structure of the lips and the posterior free air chamber because of the unavailability of fresh materials.
In the present study, nemacheiline specimens in MUMF collected from the Chindwin drainage within a 30-kilometer radius of the localities from where the species was collected by Hora (1921) were examined. All of the specimens agree with Hora’s (1921) description of Nemachilus prashadi. All of the specimens have 9½ branched dorsal-fin rays; slightly convex distal margin of the dorsal fin; feebly to moderately developed processus dentiformis; strongly arched mouth, 1.4–1.5 times wider than length; lower lip with a wide median interruption forming two lateral broad triangular pads (Fig. 2B); free posterior chamber of air bladder well formed, not encapsulated, more or less conical (Fig. 3B); and intestine with a large loop which reaches forward to the stomach (Fig. 4B). These characters agree with the descriptions of Physoshistura by Bănărescu & Nalbant, and Kottelat
PHYSOSCHISTURA TIGRINUM, A NEW NEMACHEILID LOACH Zootaxa 3586 © 2012 Magnolia Press · 101
(1990). On the basis of this study, we include the species hitherto known as Schistura prashadi in Physoschistura.