Distinguished from Luciocephalus aura in the following characters: absence of numerous iridescent green spots on central stripe when live (vs. presence); presence of black irregular pattern on area below preorbital to central stripe (vs. absence); area just above anal-fin base with 3-4 dark brown blotches, which appear circular when body is viewed ventrally (vs. absence of such markings); yellowish caudal fin with 3-5 broad vertical black bars (vs. brownish caudal fin with 3-7 narrow iridescent vertical gold bars); presence of markings on anal and pelvic (vs. absence); shorter caudal-fin length (total length 120.0-125.6% SL vs. 123.7-127.1); shorter postdorsal length (10.4-12.4% SL vs. 12.0-13.2); greater head length (44.1-48.6% SL vs. 43.3-45.9); smaller caudal peduncle depth (8.9-10.6% SL vs 10.7-11.2); and relatively shorter anal-fin base length (19.3-23.4% SL vs. 23.6-24.5) (Ref. 56386).