Diagnosed from Lates calcarifer by having 7 scales between the base of the third dorsal-fin spine and the lateral line (vs. 6) and a lesser eye diameter 4.4?4.7% SL (vs. 4.8?6.9% SL). Can be distinguished from Lates lakdiva by having the following characters: greater body depth 28.4?34.5% SL (vs. 26.6?27.6% SL); longer dorsal-fin base 43.3?45.0% SL (vs. 41.1?43.2% SL); lesser eye diameter 4.4?4.7% SL (vs. 5.5?5.6% SL); and 7 rows of scales between the base of the third dorsal-fin spine and the lateral line (vs. 5). Can be separated from Lates japonicus by having the third anal-fin spine shorter (vs. longer) than the second, a shorter caudal peduncle (15.8?17.6 % SL, vs. 18.2?20.2% SL) and a greater preanal distance (72.9?75.6% SL, vs. 67.5?72.3% SL) (Ref. 90099).