Another identifying feature is a "pearl organ" (enlarged dermal denticle) at the center of the back, found in individuals of all ages.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed this species as Endangered, citing the extensive habitat degradation and heavy fishing pressure within its limited range.

The roughback whipray was described by WWF Thailand Senior Freshwater Biologist Chavalit Vidthayanon and Smithsonian Research Associate Tyson Roberts in a 2005 issue of the scientific journal Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society.

[2] The original five specimens of the roughback whipray were all caught from the Mae Klong River in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, in fresh water above the influence of the tide.

[1][4] The roughback whipray has a thin and oval pectoral fin disc slightly longer than wide, with the anterior margins converging at a broad angle to the tip of the snout.

The whip-like tail lacks fin folds and bears one or two serrated, stinging spines on the upper surface, which are seldom found intact.

The disc is light gray or brown to dark orange-brown above, with a white to yellow spot just before the eyes and behind the spiracles, and sometimes a subtle, lighter band running around the margin.

[2] This is in contrast to other freshwater stingrays in Thailand such as F. signifer, Urogymnus chaophraya and F. oxyrhyncha, which are usually found with their tails intact.