This species is distinguished from its congeners within the Galaxias olidus complex by the following characters: a long distance between pelvic and anal fin bases (22.4-27.7 % SL); head shallow (30.0-42.6 % HL), post-orbital head length long (54.7-62.4 % HL); inter-orbital narrow (35.1-40.4 % HL); nostrils are of moderate length, not visible from ventral view; dorsal and anal fin origins are set far back along trunk (70.5-74.5 and 74.4-79.9 % SL, respectively); body depth through pectoral fin base greater (121.2 % SL) than that through vent; anal fin base is short (9.0-10.7 % SL), usually shorter than dorsal fin base; dorsal fin is short (13-15 % SL), anal fin moderately short (13.2-15.6 % SL); lower jaw length is much shorter (67.8-89.0 %) than width of gape; expanded rays of caudal fin equal to or less than body depth through pectoral fin base; dorsal midline usually flattened anteriorly from above or slightly posterior to pectoral fin bases; often 10-segmented anal fin rays; posterior extent of mouth about 0.8 eye diameter below ventral margin of eye; pyloric caecae may be present or absent, if present, as a single, wide and blunt, short (0.7 % SL) caecum; gill rakers are short and stout; anal fin origin usually under 0.61 distance posteriorly along dorsal fin base; no distinct black bars along lateral line; and, usually dark chocolate brown overall when alive (Ref. 98815).