This species can be distinguished from most cis-Andean congeners (H. jabonero from Lake Maracaibo and adjacent Caribbean drainages, H. taeniurus from Trinidad and adjacent mainland drainages in Venezuela, and H. metae which is found in the Guavio River, some Orinoco and Caribbean River drainages in Venezuela) in having ii, 7, i dorsal-fin rays (vs. ii, 8).

H. guejarensis differs from H. jabonero and H. taeniurus, in having a wider second pigment layer in the humeral spot (covering 3 vs. 2 scale widths). It is further distinguished from H. metae in having the tip of the pectoral fin passing the pelvic-fin insertions (vs. pectoral fin tip not reaching pelvic-fin insertions) (Ref. 128867).