"Breitensteinia" is a genus of akysid catfish lacking an adipose fin but having a long low adipose ridge, with a very long and slender caudal peduncle, with the gill openings not extending above the base of the pectoral spine, with 11–12 principal caudal-fin rays, and with 42–45 vertebrae. Like other akysids and unusually among catfish, they have a low principal caudal fin ray count and more rays in the upper caudal fin lobe than the lower. They have an elongate body, reflected by their high number of vertebrae which is eight to twelve more than in other akysid species, a clear sign of monophyly.