This species is distinguished and differs from L. sicculus by the following characters: Labidesthes vanhyningi have the anterolateral processes of the posttemporals

shorter than width of the base (vs. L. sicculus having the processes longer than width of base); with a midlateral stripe that does not taper, usually expanding, to insertion of pectoral fin in advance of the first dorsal-fin (vs. tapering to insertion of pectoral fin in advance of first dorsal fin); a ratio of thoracic length to abdominal length less than 2 (vs. greater than 2) (Ref. 104856).