Onychothemis  coccinea is easily distinguished by its bright orange abdomen, readily observed as it perches over swiftly running water. It is mainly found on clear fast flowing streams in pristine mixed dipterocarp forest. In Borneo Onychothemis coccinea is apparently restricted to the lowlands in the north-west, south and south-east and elsewhere is known only from peninsular Malaysia.

Onychothemis culminicola  is a duller colour with a prominent dorsal yellow stripe running the length of the thorax. It is generally found on slower flowing streams in primary forest and occurs from the lowlands to 600 m, sometimes in company with the previous species. It is common throughout Sundaland, ranging to northern Thailand.