[1][3] Its common names include honey sucker, sucking loach and Chinese algae eater.

[1] G. aymonieri has been recorded as reaching at least 28 cm (11 in) SL and is the only species in the genus to have 9 branched dorsal rays and 36–40 lateral line scales.

[7] The mouth is inferior with a special "sucker" modification which allows the fish to attach itself to smooth surfaces.

It is available in a number of colour morphs, including wild type, gold, marble, albino, and leucistic forms.

Sexing is difficult, although mature males may develop breeding tubercles on their noses, while females become plumper.