Distinguished from Betta chloropharynx in the following characters: median black throat spot (vs. two rounded black marks); spotted opercle (vs. non-spotted); opercle with black lower margin (vs. yellow margin). Differs from Betta hipposideros in the following characters: median black throat (vs. horse-shoe shape mark); spotted opercle (vs. non-spotted); opercle with black lower margin (vs. yellow or brown); more postdorsal scales (mode 10 vs. 9 1/2). Can be differentiated from Betta renata in the following characters: black median spot (vs. kidney-shaped mark); absence of dorsal and caudal transverse bars (vs. presence); fewer subdorsal scales ( mode 5 1/2 vs. 6 1/2); fewer postdorsal scales (mode 10 vs. 12); more anal fin rays (mode 30 vs. 29); and more lateral scales (mode 32 vs. 31) (Ref. 56386).