Distinguished from other members of the genus Xyliphius, except Xyliphius magdalenae, by following characters: 6 developed retrorse serrae along posterior border of pectoral spine (vs. 7-9 in Xyliphius melanopterus and Xyliphius barbatus, 8 in Xyliphius lombarderoi, 8-10 in Xyliphius lepturus and Xyliphius kryptos). Differs from Xyliphius magdalenae by having 31 total free vertebrae (vs. 33-36). Can be further distinguished, except from Xyliphius kryptos, by papillae of lower lip bearing minute branches (vs. large branches in Xyliphius lepturus, Xyliphius barbatus, Xyliphius lombarderoi, and Xyliphius melanopterus, or unbranched papillae in Xyliphius magdalenae); and, except from Xyliphius magdalenae and Xyliphius kryptos, by having 22 or 24 papillae on lower lip (vs. 25-28 in Xyliphius lepturus, 27-29 in Xyliphius melanopterus, 27-30 in Xyliphius barbatus, and 28 in Xyliphius lombarderoi). Can be also promptly separated by the lower number of dorsal procurrent rays (2) from Xyliphius lepturus (2 or 5), Xyliphius melanopterus (3), and Xyliphius magdalenae (4) (Ref. 83904).

Description: Dorsal fin I,3,i; anal fin ii,4,i; pectoral fin I,4,i; pelvic fin i,4,i (Ref. 83904).