The presence of three conspicuous black blotches on the base of the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins separates this species from all characid species. Distinguished from all other species of the Cheirodontinae by two uniquely derived characters, the anteriormost proximal radial of the anal fin with an anteriorly extended lamina entering the abdominal cavity, between the distal portions of the 12th to 14th pleural ribs and by the extremely elongate caudal peduncle 27.3-30.2% SL. Can be further diagnosed by having ventral procurrent caudal-fin rays 7-9 and hemal spines of one, two or sometimes three posterior caudal vertebrae directly articulating with the ventral procurrent caudal-fin rays (Ref. 79887).

Description: D ii,9; A iii,8; P i10; V i+5+i ; row of longitudinal scales 32; scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin origin 3, 4; precaudal vertebrae including Weberian apparatus 15 (Ref. 79887).