Distinguished from all other species of Hemiancistrus except H. chlorostictus, H. meizospilos, H. megacephalus and H. macrops by the presence of light dots on all fins and the lateral and dorsal portions of body. H. votouro differs from H. chlorostictus by having more premaxillary teeth (61-79 vs. 30-54), larger adipose-fin spine (9.0-10.4% SL vs. 5.8-8.0% SL), deeper caudal peduncle (11.0-11.8% SL vs. 9.6-10.4% SL), larger pectoral fin (36.2-41.3% SL vs. 30.6-35.4% SL); larger exposed portion of cleithrum (11.2-12.7% SL vs. 9.3-10.6% SL), narrower body at dorsal-fin origin (17.9-19.8% SL vs. 19.9-25.3% SL) and first anal-fin pterygiophore not exposed (vs. exposed). H. votouro differs from H. meizospilos by the smaller orbit diameter (14.5-16.7% HL vs. 16.7-21.0% HL) and much smaller light markings (one to three dots per plate vs. one large dot occupying one to three plates and skin between them). H. votouro is distinguished from H. megacephalus and H. macrops by the number of the light markings per body plate (one to three small dots per plate vs. only one large dot on each body plate) (Ref. 54753).