Can be distinguished by its one unique characteristic in having deep pockets ventrally on the pelvic girdle for the insertion of hypertrophied pelvic adductor muscles. In whole specimens, pelvic fins fold ventrally such that the pelvic-fin spines run parallel with the ventral surface body. Can be further diagnosed from all congeners by having the following characters: presence of widened pelvic-fin spines; enlarged plates on the abdomen; eye low on the head; and opercle generally with a patch of odontodes at all ages (vs. opercle maximally with a single row of odontodes with odontodes disappearing with size). Differs also from all other congeners except Peckoltia caemosa by being mottled (vs. the presence of dorsal saddles or spots), and can be separated from Peckoltia caenosa by having diffuse, large spots on the head and the abdomen without markings (vs. head and abdomen with vermiculations) (Ref. 77026).