Crenicichla anamiri is distinguished from all congeners except C. notophthalmus, C. regani, C. urosema, and C. virgatula by having serrations on supracleithrum (vs. absence). It differs from from C. notophthalmus and C. regani by having a black vertical elliptic blotch centrally positioned at caudal-fin base (vs. presence of ocellated blotch dorsally on caudal-fin base). It can be separated from C. regani, C. urosema and C. virgatula by having two to four rows of teeth in both jaws (vs. more than four rows); from C. virgatula and C. urosema also by the presence of vertical bars on the caudal fin (vs. absence) (Ref. 104708).