Differs from Betta chloropharynx in the following characters: horseshoe-shaped black throat mark (vs. µ-shaped black throat mark); presence of both dorsal and caudal transverse bars (vs. absence); more subdorsal scales (mode 6 1/2 vs. 5-6). It is distinguished from Betta renata in the following characters: horseshoe-shaped black throat mark (vs. kidney-shaped); non-spotted opercle (vs. spotted opercle); opercle with yellow or brown lower margin (vs. black margin); fewer postdorsal scales (mode 12 vs. 9 1/2); more anal fin rays (mode 30 vs. 29); more lateral scales (mode 32 vs. 31). Can be differentiated from Betta spilotogena in the following characters: horseshoe-shaped black throat mark ((vs. black median spot); non-spotted opercle (vs. spotted opercle); opercle with yellow or brown lower margin (vs. back margin); presence of both dorsal and caudal transverse bars (vs. absence); and more subdorsal scales (mode 6 1/2 vs. 5 1/2) (Ref. 56386).