Diagnosed by the dorsal region of disc of dark brown background coloration, with deep orange to red ocellated spots of irregular form, encircled by relatively broad black rings, in irregular concentric series, and frequently in pairs around disc center; buccal cavity dark-pigmented with orange spots in adults. Differs from the ocellated congeners Potamotrygon motoro, Potamotrygon henlei and Potamotrygon leopoldi by having more intensely colored ocelli, usually yellow in the latter species; from Potamotrygon motoro by having darker dorsal background coloration, broader black contour of the dorsal ocelli, and irregular form of the ocelli (vs. rounded in shape). Can be differentiated from Potamotrygon henlei and Potamotrygon leopoldi by the absence of ocelli on tail; and from tentatively identified specimen Potamotrygon ocellata (which also has dark orange ocelli) by the irregular contour of the ocelli which is also distinctive. Teeth relatively smaller and in greater number up to 45 rows in the upper jaw (vs. 23-32 in Potamotrygon motoro; 24 in specimen 19.0 cm DW of Potamotrygon ocellata; and pectoral fin radials 98-104 (vs. 94 in Potamotrygon ocellata) (Ref. 75012).