This species of Starksia is distinguished by having a scaled body, with only two apparent soft pelvic-fin rays, and a male intromittent organ attached to or separate from a first anal-fin spine separate to some degree from remainder of fin; in the species complex of S. lepicoelia, with mostly scaled abdomen, an orbital cirrus, male intromittent organ completely separate from first anal-fin spine, and with 13 pectoral-fin rays; Colouration: two discrete black bars on preorbital portion of lower lip in both females and males, and greatly extended, ribbon-like, white orbital cirri in mature males (Ref. 121206).