This species differs from its congeners by its pale bluish-white body color in life (vs. mottled brown); differs from Nandus nandus, the only South Asian congener, in having body depth 24.3-29.1% SL (vs. 28.2-34.3); pelvic fin length 16.2-18.9% SL (vs. 18.0-21.2); from Nandus nebulosus, Nandus oxyrhynchus and Nandus prolixus by the presence (vs. absence) of dark spot on the caudal peduncle, by having lateral line scales 45-52 (vs. 24-37) and body depth 24.3-29.1% SL (vs. 30.7-44.1) (Ref. 75197).