Acantopsis dialuzona is distinguished from all congeners by combination of the following characters: usually 3 pairs of labial barbels; well developed ocellus on upper margin of caudal-fin base; 0-1 row of large spots on side of head; absence of large black spots on dorsal or caudal fins; rarely black specks beneath midlateral row of black spots; dorsal fin usually with 10½ branched and pectoral fin with 10 rays; 11-17 dark saddles along dorsal midline; 7-13 black spots along side of body; 42-43 total vertebrae; and body depth 8.9-11.9% SL, body width 6.4-9.1% SL, caudal-peduncle length 12.5-16.2% SL (Ref. 116755).